2024-11-15T18:25:51-08:00 2023-12-31 752980128 Richard K Gonzales CPA 4838 NE Sandy Blvd Suite 102 Portland OR 97213 990 2023-01-01 931212629 WILLAMETTE RIVERKEEPER WILL 1210 CENTER STREET OREGON CITY OR 97045 MICHELLE EMMONS DEPUTY DIRECTOR 2024-11-15 true true Richard K Gonzales CPA P00012994 5034123636 X 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z 1210 CENTER STREET OREGON CITY OR 97045 1046638 false X N/A X 1996 OR TO MAKE THE WILLAMETTE RIVER WATERSHED HEALTHY FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE, SAFE FOR FISHING AND SWIMMING, AND TO INFORM, INVOLVE AND CONNECT THE PUBLIC WITH THEIR RIVER. 8 7 10 500 0 1184569 909378 269517 110935 1677 7582 18743 1455763 1046638 0 0 572765 494095 660 0 26592 587445 718207 1160870 1212302 294893 -165664 1718946 1730861 68605 246184 1650341 1484677 X TO MAKE THE WILLAMETTE RIVER WATERSHED HEALTHY FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE, SAFE FOR FISHING AND SWIMMING, AND TO INFORM, INVOLVE AND CONNECT THE PUBLIC WITH THEIR RIVER. false false 596154 299766 22242 RESTORATION:IN 2023, WILLAMETTE RIVERKEEPER ORGANIZED AND HOSTED THE WILLAMETTE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES SUMMIT IN SALEM DRAWING 100 PROFESSIONALS AND PRACTITIONERS, TO ASSESS CURRENT CONDITIONS AND DISCUSS FUTURE STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS FOR PRIORITY AQUATIC SPECIES ACROSS THE WILLAMETTE WATERSHED.OUR 2023 AQUATIC INVASIVE ERADICATION EFFORTS FOCUSED ON TWO EARLY DETECTION RAPID RESPONSE (EDRR) "A" LISTED AQUATIC INVASIVES; YELLOW FLOATING HEART (NYMPHOIDES PELTALA), AND GARDEN LOOSESTRIFE (LYSIMACHIA VULGARIS). STAFF AND PARTNERS SURVEYED 125 MILES OF THE RIVER, IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL MILES OF BACK CHANNELS, ALCOVES AND SLOUGHS. SIMULTANEOUS TREATMENTS WERE COMPLETED WHILE ON THESE SURVEYS, BY OUR CONTRACTORS. THIS ALLOWED OUR STAFF TO DETECT NEW POPULATIONS OF BOTH SPECIES, AND DOCUMENT SUCESSES FROM OUR 2022 TREATMENT EFFORTS RESULTING IN THE ERADICATION OR LARGELY REDUCED HISTORIC POPULATIONS OF YELLOW FLOATING HEART. THIS PROJECT IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S NOXIOUS WEED PROGRAM.WRK ALSO HELD A "PEER TO PEER" DAY ON THE RIVER TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND IDENTIFICATION TIPS ON PRIORITY AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES WITH SEVERAL COLLEAGUES FROM ENTITIES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WILLAMETTE BASIN ATTENDING. SOME OF THESE PARTICIPANTS WERE ALSO FIRST TIME PADDLERS ON THE RIVER. THROUGH OUR ADDITIONAL AQUATIC WORK WE TREATED 85 ACRES OF THE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES LUDWIGIA IN WINDSOR SLOUGH AT WILLAMETTE MISSION STATE PARK, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND MULTIPLE COLLABORATING LANDOWNERS. WE CELEBRATED OUR FOURTH AND FINAL YEAR OF LUDWIGIA TREATMENT ON WILLAMETTE SLOUGH AT MINTO BROWN ISLAND PARK, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SALEM. WE ALSO COMPLETED OUR MAINTENANCE AQUATIC TREATMENTS IN THE BACK CHANNEL AT GAIL ACHTERMAN WILDLIFE AREA FOR LUDWIGIA AND YELLOW FLOATING HEART. WE ALSO INSTALLED 15,075 BAREROOT NATIVES IN THE SOUTH FOREST OF WILLAMETTE MISSION STATE PARK, BRINGING OUR TOTAL OF NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS PLANTED AT WILLAMETTE MISSION TO JUST OVER 550,400 PLANTS THROUGHOUT THE 752 ACRES OF PROJECT ACREAGE. AT GAIL ACHTERMAN WILDLIFE AREA, WE INTERPLANTED ROUGHLY 40,000 NATIVE PLANTS BRINGING AN APPROXIMATE TOTAL OF 188,125 NATIVE PLANTS INSTALLED ACROSS THE 290 ACRE PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, WE SOWED OVER 32 ACRES OF NATIVE HERBACEOUS FORB SEED ACROSS FOUR UNITS OF THIS SITE. AS THE LAST STAGE OF OUR WORK ON WILLAMETTE SLOUGH AT MINTO BROWN ISLAND PARK WE INSTALLED APPROXIMATELY 12,500 NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS, AND OVER 3,000 WETLAND GRASSES AND RUSHES ON THE RIPARIAN LAND ADJACENT TO THE SLOUGH.IN 2023, WE WORKED TO CONTINUE OUR RESTORATION EFFORTS AT MINTO BROWN ISLAND PARK BY SUBMITTING A $420,000+ GRANT PROPOSAL TO THE OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD REQUESTING FUNDING TO RESTORE OXBOW SLOUGH WITHIN THE PARK. WE WERE AWARDED FULL FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT THIS YEAR AND BEGAN WORK.IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WRK'S 2023 RESTORATION PROGRAM GARNERED THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEER STATS FROM A VARIETY OF PROJECTS: - 60+ VOLUNTEERS FOR PADDLE & PULL EVENTS REMOVING 135+ BAGS OF AQUATIC INVASIVE WEEDS FROM THE WILLAMETTE RIVER - 15+ HIGHSCHOOL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FOR A SERVICE-LEARNING DAY TO HELP RESTORE UNIT A AT WILLAMETTE MISSION STATE PARK. THEY SOWED NATIVE SEED AND MULCHED NATIVE SHRUBS ON APPROXIMATELY 1/2 AN ACRE - OUT OF 130 RIVER MILES SURVEYED FOR AQUATIC INVASIVE WEEDS, 40 OF THOSE RIVER MILES WERE WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERSWRK'S MUSSEL MANIA SURVEY PROJECT COLLECTED AN ABUNDANCE OF NEW DATA ON THE HEALTH OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN THE WILLAMETTE, USING EDNA TO ENABLE THE DETECTION OF MUSSELS ON GIVEN RIVER REACHES BY SCREENING SAMPLES OF RIVER WATER. THIS YEAR'S PORTION OF THIS LONG TERM PROJECT WAS FOCUSED ON THE SANTIAM SYSTEM, A KEY TRIBUTARY OF THE WILLAMETTE. WRK ALSO COMPLETED SEVERAL VOLUNTEER SURVEYS ON THE MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE, A CRITICAL UPSTREAM TRIBUTARY TO THE MAINSTEM, ENGAGING 15 VOLUNTEERS OVER THREE SURVEY SITES, AND BRINGING A SMALL GROUP OF INDIGENOUS YOUTH FROM THE GRANDE RONDE TRIBE, BY CANOE, TO EXPLORE AND LEARN ABOUT VARIOUS SITES OF MUSSEL POPULATIONS IN THE UPPER MAINSTEM WILLAMETTE. 231074 55000 56100 RIVER CLEANUPS:IN 2023, WILLAMETTE RIVERKEEPER COORDINATED 57 RIVER CLEANUPS ACROSS THE WILLAMETTE WATERSHED THROUGH ITS RIVER GUARDIANS PROGRAM, ENGAGING 425 VOLUNTEERS AND GENERATING 1,410 SERVICE HOURS VALUED AT $44,838. WE REMOVED 143.5 YARDS (57,400 LBS./28.7 TONS) OF GARBAGE AND PROPERLY DISPOSED OF 341 HYPODERMIC NEEDLES FROM OUR WILLAMETTE RIVER.WHILE REPARIAN CAMPING REMAINS ILLEGAL ALONG MOST URBAN RIVERBANKS, JURISDICTIONAL RESOURCES AND ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES REMAIN AN ISSUE. WRK COORDINATED BOTH ADVOCACY AND ON THE GROUND CLEANUP EFFORTS WITH STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE WATERSHED OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, COLLABORATING STRATEGIES TO HELP ENFORCE CLEAN WATER RESPONSIBILITIES, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE HEALTHY HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY, AND PROMOTE SAFE, ENJOYABLE RECREATION ACCESS ON THE WILLAMETTE RIVER THROUGH ACTIVE REPRESENTATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS, PROVIDING PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS TOWARD LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS FOR KEEPING OUR WILLAMETTE RIVER CLEAN. 189729 82713 RECREATION EVENTS:THE 2023 WILLAMETTE RIVER FESTIVAL BOOKENDED OUR SUMMER EVENTS SCHEDULE IN EUGENE WITH A MAJOR CELEBRATION ON THE RIVER, COMBINING ELEMENTS OF INDIGENOUS CULTURE, WORLD MUSIC, PADDLING RECREATION, HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE GREATER WILLAMETTE WATERSHED. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ENJOYED PADDLE DEMOS, INTERACTIVE ART AND EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS FEATURING HABITAT RESTORATION, HYDROLOGY, ARCHEOLOGY, STORMWATER AND WATER CONSERVATION, AND INDIGENOUS HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, PERFORMANCES AND ARTIFACTS. THE FESTIVAL OPENED THIS YEAR WITH A PADDLE PARADE, WHILE PADDLECROSS PARTICIPANTS ENDEAVORED TO PADDLE UPSTREAM IN THE WHILAMUT NATURAL AREA CANOE CANAL AND RACE THE RAPIDS ON THE RIVER BACK TO ALTON BAKER PARK. THE FESTIVAL WAS FUNDED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF EUGENE, METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION, AND SEVERAL BUSINESS SPONSORS, INCLUDING TWO LOCAL WATERSHED COUNCILS.PADDLE OREGON 2023 PROVIDED A PEAK SUMMER PADDLING RECREATION EXPERIENCE FOR OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS, SPANNING FOUR DAYS IN AUGUST, AND FEATURED SEVERAL RIVERSIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND CAMPING AREAS UTILIZING BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTIES AND LOCALLY-SOURCED FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROVIDERS TO CREATE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTE A BROADER CONNECTION TO THE WILLAMETTE RIVER. PARTICIPANTS LEARNED ABOUT MUSSELS, WATER TRAIL RECREATION AMENITIES, FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, RIPARIAN RESTORATION AND WRK'S EFFORTS TO RESTORE NATIVE WAPATO POPULATIONS, AN INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL FOOD SOURCE OF THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. WRK'S STAFF AND VOLUNTEER SAFETY TEAM WERE ALSO ABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIPS TO HELP ENSURE A MORE ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED SOME EXTRA HELP WITH THEIR SKILLS. PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 72 MILES OF PADDLING AT THE END OF THE EVENT. WRK PINOT PADDLE HAPPENDED AT THE BEGINING OF SUMMER WITH GREAT SUCCESS, ENGAGING OVER 100 PEOPLE ON A 24 MILE STRETCH OF THE WILLAMETTE, AND WERE ABLE TO ENJOY FARM TO TABLE LOCALLY-SOURCED FOODS AND WINES, PRODUCED IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY, WITH STOPS DURING THE DAY ON VARIOUS KEY HABITAT AREAS, AND AN OVERNIGHT AT OREGON STATE PARKS' GRAND ISLAND SITE. WRK ALSO CONDUCTED FOUR DISCOVERY PADDLES - EDUCATIONAL GUIDED DAY TRIPS ON THE WILLAMETTE RIVER, ENGAGING OVER 120 PARTICIPANTS IN RIVER RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. THESE PADDLE TRIPS PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT INCLUSIVE COMPONENT GETTING MORE PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THE RIVER AND ENJOYING PADDLING RECREATION BY COVERING COSTS THAT INCLUDE FOOD, SUPPLIES, CANOES AND OTHER PADDLING EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY GEAR, AND ARE LED BY QUALIFIED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. THIS YEAR'S TRIPS INCLUDED: - WRK TOOK A LARGE GROUP OF PADDLERS ON A TOUR OF ROSS ISLAND BY CANOE AND KAYAK TO DISCUSS THE ISLAND'S PAST, AND FUTURE.IN TANDEM WITH THIS, WRK RECENTLY CALLED ON THE ISLAND TO COME INTO PUBLIC OWNERSHIP. - GREENWAY PADDLE FROM SALEM TO WHEATLAND FERRY, INCLUDING AN EDUCATIONAL LUNCH PROGRAM PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OREGON STATE PARKS. - TWO TRIPS FROM PEORIA TO CORVALLIS, WERE CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE EUGENE MISSION LIFE CHANGE PROGRAM - A SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY PROGRAM, AND WRK'S RIVER GUARDIANS VOLUNTEERS, AS A THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR TO CONDUCT RIVER CLEANUPS. 65470 33515 6050 1082427 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 8 0 true 10 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 8 7 false false false false false false false true false false false true true false true true true true false false OR X MICHELLE EMMONS 5032236418 1210 CENTER STREET OREGON CITY OR 97045 X TRAVIS WILLIAMS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 0.00 128301 0 0 JAMES TIEFENTHALER PRESIDENT BOARD 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 BART RIERSON Treasurer 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JESSIE ROHRIG Secretary 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JOANNE CRISIONE MEMBER 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 STEVE HERNANDEZ MEMBER 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ALAN ROPE MEMBER 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CATHY TORTORICI MEMBER 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 128301 1 false false false R FRANCO RESTORATION INC 11083 W STAYTON RD SE AUMSVILLE OR 97325 HABITAT RESTORATION 186721 1 3476 388281 517621 909378 CONTRACTS & FEES 23701 23701 PADDLE OREGON EVENT 56913 56913 PINOT PADDLE EVENT 25321 25321 WILLAMETTE RIVER FESTIVAL 5000 5000 110935 7582 7582 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PRODUCT SALES 18743 18743 18743 1046638 129678 7582 0 0 0 0 128301 101358 12830 14113 301884 292667 9217 0 8400 6636 840 924 12937 11545 1392 42573 39225 1964 1384 0 0 4175 4175 1000 1000 0 0 75029 75029 0 2035 2035 0 0 44240 654 43586 20902 19691 362 849 0 1901 1570 266 65 0 0 13065 12217 424 424 11868 7134 4734 RESTORATION PROJECTS 332203 332203 EVENT EXPENSES 83592 83592 PROJECT CONTRACTORS 29498 29498 Printing and Publications 29183 29183 69516 40225 21458 7833 1212302 1082427 103283 26592 135051 51498 198299 173407 68050 207813 0 0 0 0 0 25690 4890 1365486 93091 1269814 1272395 0 22042 20858 0 0 0 1718946 1730861 68605 246184 68605 246184 X 1277799 1201328 372542 283349 1650341 1484677 1718946 1730861 -165664 X false false false X 1164727 646317 896004 1184569 909378 4800995 0 0 1164727 646317 896004 1184569 909378 4800995 0 4800995 1714 1000 7566 1677 10269 22226 0 0 4823221 0.99540 0.90750 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1230101 1230101 4170 1311 2859 131215 91780 39435 1272395 Form 990, Part III, Line 4d OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: RECREATION EVENTS:THE 2023 WILLAMETTE RIVER FESTIVAL BOOKENDED OUR SUMMER EVENTS SCHEDULE IN EUGENE WITH A MAJOR CELEBRATION ON THE RIVER, COMBINING ELEMENTS OF INDIGENOUS CULTURE, WORLD MUSIC, PADDLING RECREATION, HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE GREATER WILLAMETTE WATERSHED. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ENJOYED PADDLE DEMOS, INTERACTIVE ART AND EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS FEATURING HABITAT RESTORATION, HYDROLOGY, ARCHEOLOGY, STORMWATER AND WATER CONSERVATION, AND INDIGENOUS HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, PERFORMANCES AND ARTIFACTS. THE FESTIVAL OPENED THIS YEAR WITH A PADDLE PARADE, WHILE PADDLECROSS PARTICIPANTS ENDEAVORED TO PADDLE UPSTREAM IN THE WHILAMUT NATURAL AREA CANOE CANAL AND RACE THE RAPIDS ON THE RIVER BACK TO ALTON BAKER PARK. THE FESTIVAL WAS FUNDED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF EUGENE, METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION, AND SEVERAL BUSINESS SPONSORS, INCLUDING TWO LOCAL WATERSHED COUNCILS.PADDLE OREGON 2023 PROVIDED A PEAK SUMMER PADDLING RECREATION EXPERIENCE FOR OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS, SPANNING FOUR DAYS IN AUGUST, AND FEATURED SEVERAL RIVERSIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND CAMPING AREAS UTILIZING BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTIES AND LOCALLY-SOURCED FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROVIDERS TO CREATE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTE A BROADER CONNECTION TO THE WILLAMETTE RIVER. PARTICIPANTS LEARNED ABOUT MUSSELS, WATER TRAIL RECREATION AMENITIES, FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, RIPARIAN RESTORATION AND WRK'S EFFORTS TO RESTORE NATIVE WAPATO POPULATIONS, AN INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL FOOD SOURCE OF THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. WRK'S STAFF AND VOLUNTEER SAFETY TEAM WERE ALSO ABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIPS TO HELP ENSURE A MORE ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED SOME EXTRA HELP WITH THEIR SKILLS. PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 72 MILES OF PADDLING AT THE END OF THE EVENT. WRK PINOT PADDLE HAPPENDED AT THE BEGINING OF SUMMER WITH GREAT SUCCESS, ENGAGING OVER 100 PEOPLE ON A 24 MILE STRETCH OF THE WILLAMETTE, AND WERE ABLE TO ENJOY FARM TO TABLE LOCALLY-SOURCED FOODS AND WINES, PRODUCED IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY, WITH STOPS DURING THE DAY ON VARIOUS KEY HABITAT AREAS, AND AN OVERNIGHT AT OREGON STATE PARKS' GRAND ISLAND SITE. WRK ALSO CONDUCTED FOUR DISCOVERY PADDLES - EDUCATIONAL GUIDED DAY TRIPS ON THE WILLAMETTE RIVER, ENGAGING OVER 120 PARTICIPANTS IN RIVER RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. THESE PADDLE TRIPS PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT INCLUSIVE COMPONENT GETTING MORE PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THE RIVER AND ENJOYING PADDLING RECREATION BY COVERING COSTS THAT INCLUDE FOOD, SUPPLIES, CANOES AND OTHER PADDLING EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY GEAR, AND ARE LED BY QUALIFIED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. THIS YEAR'S TRIPS INCLUDED: - WRK TOOK A LARGE GROUP OF PADDLERS ON A TOUR OF ROSS ISLAND BY CANOE AND KAYAK TO DISCUSS THE ISLAND'S PAST, AND FUTURE.IN TANDEM WITH THIS, WRK RECENTLY CALLED ON THE ISLAND TO COME INTO PUBLIC OWNERSHIP. - GREENWAY PADDLE FROM SALEM TO WHEATLAND FERRY, INCLUDING AN EDUCATIONAL LUNCH PROGRAM PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OREGON STATE PARKS. - TWO TRIPS FROM PEORIA TO CORVALLIS, WERE CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE EUGENE MISSION LIFE CHANGE PROGRAM - A SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY PROGRAM, AND WRK'S RIVER GUARDIANS VOLUNTEERS, AS A THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR TO CONDUCT RIVER CLEANUPS. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY:THE 2023 SESSION OF THE OREGON LEGISLATURE SAW SOME OF THE HARSHEST CHALLENGES TO OUR LAND USE SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS IN RECENT HISTORY. WRK TESTIFIED TO DEFEND THE CITY OF PORTLAND'S GREEN ROOF CODE AGAINST EFFORTS TO ERODE ITS IMPACT. IN DOING THIS, WE STOPPED A POORLY CONSTRUED PROPOSAL.WRK, CASCADIA WILDLANDS, AND OREGON WILD RECENTLY SUED THE US BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT FOR THEIR LACK OF ADEQUATE ASSESSMENT REGARDING A PROPOSED TIMBER SALE AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF ACRES NEAR EUGENE. BLM HAS SINCE PAUSED THIS PROJECT TO CONDUCT A MORE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.WRK SENT NUMEROUS ALERTS REQUESTING HELP FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS TO COMMENT IN REGARD TO A RANGE OF ISSUES - THE RESULTING 100S OF RESPONSES MADE A DIFFERENCE IN BOTH LOCAL AND STATEWIDE POLICY CONSIDERATIONS AND CHANGES IMPORTANT TO CLEAN WATER, NATIVE SPECIES, RIPARIAN HABITAT, AND FLOODPLAIN PROTECTIONS.WRK MET WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF MULTIPLE TIMES TO ENSURE THAT HOUSING INITIATIVES DO NOT UNDERMINE NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTIONS. AS A RESULT OF THESE AND OTHER PARTNERING EFFORTS, THE BEAVER BILL WAS PASSED, DELISTING ONE OF OREGON'S MOST ICONIC WILDLIFE SYMBOLS OUT OF "PREDATOR" STATUS, AND DESIGNATING BEAVER POPULATION MANAGEMENT ON BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS TO OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.IN MID-SEPTEMBER, WILLAMETTE RIVERKEEPER, ALONG WITH THREE OTHER CONSERVATION GROUPS, SUED THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)OVER ITS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT FLOODPLAIN-DEPENDENT SPECIES, INCLUDING UPPER WILLAMETTE RIVER CHINOOK SALMON AND STEELHEAD, IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP), JOINING THREE OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN FILING A 60-DAY NOTICE AGAINST FEMA FOR ITS INABILITY TO MAKE COMMON SENSE REFORMS TO ITS FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. THIS CHANGE IS CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH AND RECOVERY OF SPRING CHINOOK SALMON, AS WELL AS ORCAS THAT RELY ON THESE FISH AS A PRIMARY FOOD SOURCE. WRK JOINED TOGETHER WITH TWO OTHER CONSERVATION GROUPS TO FILE A FORMAL NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) DIRECTOR CURT MELCHER, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY, FOR ONGOING VIOLATIONS OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT (CWA). THE VIOLATIONS STEM FROM ODFW'S DISCHARGES OF WARM WATER FROM THE LEABURG FISH HATCHERY INTO THE ALREADY TEMPERATURE-IMPAIRED MCKENZIE RIVER, WHICH IS CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THE FEDERALLY LISTED UPPER WILLAMETTE RIVER CHINOOK SALMON.WRK'S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S PERMITTING OF THE PROPOSAL J.S. RANCH CHICKEN FACILITY WAS HEARD IN ALBANY, WITH WRK'S STAFF ATTORNEY SUPPORTING THE EFFORT. THIS LAWSUIT WAS STAYED AS ODA REVIEWED THE PERMITTING AND IS ONGOING.ALONG WITH THAT LAWSUIT, WRK STAFF ALONG WITH OTHER PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS, PURSUED LEGISLATION THE FINAL DAYS OF THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SB 85, THE CAFO BILL, NARROWLY PASSED BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND WAS SENT ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK. WHILE GREATLY WATERED DOWN FROM ITS FIRST ITERATION, THIS BILL PASSAGE IS A WIN FOR OUR RIVERS, OUR WILDLIFE, AND OUR COMMUNITIES AND WILL PUT ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS ON NEW CAFOS.HB 3414 B, THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSING PRODUCTION BILL, WAS INTENSIVELY NEGOTIATED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, WITH WILLAMETTE RIVERKEEPER TAKING A LEADERSHIP POSITION SUPPORTING LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS. A HARD-FOUGHT LEGISLATIVE PUSH BY GOVERNOR KOTEK WAS DEFEATED BY ONE VOTE IN THE SENATE BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND CITY COALITION, WHERE THE GOVERNOR SIDED WITH THE SAME SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO PREVIOUSLY WALKED OUT TO REMOVE LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS TO THE LIVABILITY OF OREGON URBAN ENVIRONMENT.FOLLOWING UP ON COMMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE LANDS (DSL) REGARDING ISSUES WITH THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS, WRK WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING DSL TO APPROVE A NEW PLAN IN EARLY 2023 WHICH INCLUDED CHANGES BASED ON CONSIDERATIONS OUTLINED IN WRK'S TESTIMONY INCLUDING HOLDING ROSS ISLAND SAND & GRAVEL (RISG) ACCOUNTABLE TO A TIMELY RECLAMATION PLAN ON ROSS ISLAND. WRK ALSO CONTINUED ITS ADVOCACY EFFORTS TOWARD BRINGING ROSS ISLAND INTO PUBLIC OWNERSHIP. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 8b COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD:THERE WERE NO COMMITTEES WITH THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS BETWEEN BOARD MEETINGS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVIEWS THE FINAL DRAFT WITH THE PREPARER. THE FINAL COPY IS SENT TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS BEFORE FILING. IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, THE BOARD MEETS TO DISCUSS THEM. IF ANY CHANGES ARE MADE THE FINAL 990 IS SENT TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS BEFORE FILING. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY COVERS BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS. THE BOARD AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEW THE POLICY ANNUALLY. IN THE CASE OF BOARD MEMBERS, THE BOARD REVIEWS POTENTIAL CONFLICTS AND DETERMINES IF A CONFLICT EXISTS. IN THE CASE OF STAFF, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVIEWS POTENTIAL CONFLICTS AND DETERMINES IF A CONFLICT EXISTS.IF SOMEONE IS FOUND TO HAVE A CONFLICT, THEY DON'T VOTE ON THAT PARTICULAR ITEM, OR WORK ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION:AS PART OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ANNUAL REVIEW AND COMPENSATION DETERMINATION, THE BOARD LOOKS AT THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF SIMILAR SIZE AND BUDGET WITHIN VARIOUS RIVER RELATED GROUPS, AS WELL AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS EXPERIENCE AND VALUE TO THE ORGANIZATION. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS COMPENSATION IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 REQUESTS FOR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE CONSIDERED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.