Destination: The Pacific - Creating the Columbia-Pacific Heritage Area in Washington and Oregon"

Welcome COLUMBIA PACIFIC HERITAGE AREA The Columbia River collides with the Pacific Ocean and a unique confluence of American history unfolds. The rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and natural history that flourishes here has captured the attention and imagination of the United States Congress who have introduced a Bill [pdf] to authorize a study of the region for future designation as a National Heritage Area. Destination: The Pacific offers travelers a journey of discovery, adventure, and ever-changing landscapes. Come and explore the Columbia Pacific. We offer a virtual tour through our online slide show and a travel planner for charting your own course of discovery to enjoy the robust bounty of the river, ocean, and historic communities.

UPCOMING EVENTS Oregon 150 Visit Oregon 150 2009 for information about how Oregon is celebrating its sesquincentennial. DTP MEETINGS DTP Board Meeting Next Meeting: DTP Board Meeting Friday, April 25, 2008 10 am Location: TBD (Washington) Call (503) 861-4403 to RSVP.

YOU CAN HELP There are three simple ways to make a difference!: 1) Make a donation to help undewrite the study 2) Volunteer! Call DTP (503) 861-4403 and ask about committees, living history, and other volunteer opportunities 3) Write and thank our elected officials in Oregon and Washington! We take great pride in the bi-state, bi-partisan support of this bill and as citizens we are fortunate to have hard-working Senators and Representatives demonstrating this kind of leadership. Here is a draft letter [doc] for your use, along with the addresses and faxes of delegates for Oregon and Washington.

FUN FACTS! In 1792 Captain Robert Gray was the first non-Indian navigator to cross the bar and enter the Columbia River. However, it wasn't until 1850 that the first navigation buoys were placed in the channel between the Columbia River bar and Astoria. Just a few years later in 1853 the ship ORIOLE arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River with materials for the Cape Disappointment Light, but went aground and was a total loss. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was finally constructed in 1856 to warn seamen of the treacherous river bar known by then as "the graveyard of the Pacific." This is the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast.

Current News

DONATE TO THE HERITAGE AREA STUDY
Show your support of the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area by helping us raise $275,000 to complete the Heritage Area Study! Over $45,000 has been raised allowing us to conduct the first phase of public input workshops. Your donation today will ensure we can complete the study in 2008.

Gateway Teams Honored!
DTP honored the Gateway Teams on March 8 with a special reception at The Loft located in The Red Building in Astoria. The teams have made great progress on ten community projects. For a summary of team updates and the projects they are working to complete visit Gateway Teams.

New Donations!
Please join us in thanking Bank of the Pacific for its recent contribution of $1000!

Please consider a donation today to help us complete the Heritage Area Study. Call (503) 861-4403 for more information or mail your check to:
Destination: The Pacific
Attn: Heritage Area Study
P.O. Box 2005
Astoria, OR 97103

OTHER NEWS BITES

The Heritage Area study bill has been passed by both the House and Senate Committees and now awaits approval by Congress. Please join us in thanking our elected officials in both Oregon and Washington for their steadfast support of this bill. In Oregon: Senator Gordon Smith, Senator Ron Wyden, and Representative David Wu. In Washington: Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Representative Brian Baird.

Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area
Background and research links concerning regional National Heritage Area efforts

Baird-Wu Legislation to Create Columbia Pacific National Heritage Area [go]

Smith Renews Efforts to Preserve Heritage of Lower Columbia River [go]

110th Congress: Bill [pdf]

Senate Bill S.257
House Bill H.R.407

To follow these Bills visit Thomas.

A statement from John Wessels, Acting Assistant Director, Business Services, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, was given on September 7, 2006, before the Subcommittee on National Parks of the House Committee on Resources, concerning h. 5485, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area in the states of Washington and Oregon. Please click here to read his testimony.

NHA Overview by DTP board member and Seaside Chamber Executive Director, Al Smiles.

White Paper [Click here for NHA White Paper]

Headline Archives

For more information or email dtp@seasurf.net or call (503) 861-4403.

Destination: The Pacific. Exploring the Columbia Pacific. Oregon. Washington.

E-List: