Coastal Storms Program

The program expanded into Pacific Northwest beginning in fiscal year 2004 and completed product development in fiscal year 2007. To date, $3.83 million has been invested in product development, and operations and maintenance.

GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The second project effort covered portions of the lower Columbia River, the Northwest Oregon coast (to Tillamook Bay), and the Southwest Washington coast (to Grays Harbor).

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The program’s Pacific Northwest project is a compilation of tools that address the ecological sensitivity of resources to storm events. Products and services include new and improved data, information, forecast models, and training for coastal communities. The program seeks to ensure the safety of this population and sustain the natural environment, which in turn will promote a healthy economy. As a result of the products and services developed for this project, local communities will be better able to predict and reduce the impacts of coastal storms, saving lives, property, and money.

KEY PARTNERS

Oregon Sea Grant, Oregon Health and Science University, Lower Columbia River Estuary Research Project, Oregon Department of Land and Conservation Development, Washington State Department of Ecology, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, and U.S. Geological Survey.

PRODUCTS

The Pacific Northwest effort brought together eight projects that address specific hazards-related issues, such as improved observations and wave modeling, and ecological resilience studies. These projects have created improved tools, data, information, forecast models, and training for the coastal communities in the project study area. The program also supported the acquisition and deployment of the Tillamook Buoy (46089) and continues to maintain it today.