Community Involvement

DES has developed a process to solicit input from the community on the estuary design.

Community Sounding Board (CSB)

DES has convened a CSB with approximately 25 representatives from the community. These members are meeting with DES and the project team to provide input as the project is designed. To date, the CSB has provided input on proposed recreational opportunities within the project area, as well as experience within and across the new 5th Avenue Bridge.

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Purpose

  1. Bring community members representing a diverse range of interests together to engage in focused discussions, and individually and/or collectively provide input, feedback, perspectives, and recommendations around substantive topics relevant to the project.
  2. Use CSB outcomes to inform subsequent discussions by the project team, DES, and stakeholders during the design process.

Participants in the CSB provide information, exchange ideas, and offer individual or collective perspectives around substantive topics. There is no voting or requirement to reach consensus. Information from CSB meetings is shared with the project team and considered by DES as decisions are made, but the CSB does not make decisions for DES.

Members

DES will be selecting a group of individuals representing a wide range of interests, organizations, and communities. DES aims to include representatives most impacted by the project, such as marina members, naturalists, anglers, and non-motorized boaters, and will ensure inclusion of organizations centering underserved communities.

Public Engagement

Community input is an important component of any design process and helps to inform assumptions around design and construction of the project. Amenities, recreational opportunities, and pedestrian experience, both within the 5th Avenue corridor and over the restored estuary, are examples of the types of input DES may solicit from the public during the design process. DES and the project team will continue to engage with the public through a variety of forms including the CSB, participation in local festivals, direct outreach to local community groups, and engagement with local non-profits.

Visit the Meetings page for information on formal public meetings.

Local Non-Profits

The Deschutes Watershed is an approximately 270-square-mile basin with headwaters starting in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and flowing to Budd Inlet. As the water moves downstream, it passes through foothills, temperate rainforests, and rural and urban lowlands to reach the sea. Municipalities and non-profits are consistently working to improve the environmental health of this watershed, through stormwater treatment efforts, removal of fish barriers, and habitat improvements, among others.

The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT), a non-profit dedicated to protecting and restoring the Deschutes Watershed, is partnering closely on this DES-led restoration project, bringing a strong history of community engagement and advocacy on this issue.