Protecting Our Waters, Supporting Our Community

At the Port of Astoria, we are proud to serve as stewards of Oregon's North Coast, committed to protecting the environment while supporting economic and maritime activities. Our mission includes sustainable management of natural resources, responsible development, and compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. 

As a working waterfront, we recognize that stormwater runoff - rainwater that flows over rocks, docks, and industrial areas - can carry pollutants into the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Through proactive stormwater management, green infrastructure, and public engagement, we work to protect local water quality, marine ecosystems, and the surrounding community. 

We believe that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand. By investing in stormwater infrastructure, pollution prevention, and clean water initiatives, we ensure that our Port remains a thriving hub for industry, commerce, and recreation - while also safeguarding the health of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.

General:

Clean water is vital to our local economy as it supports our community's drinking supply, our downtown attractions, our restaurants and breweries, our fisheries, and recreational opportunities in the area. Stormwater has a great impact on those vital resources. 

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is rainwater or snowmelt that does not soak into the ground but flows over the land, often collecting pollutants as it moves through urban areas, Managing stormwater properly is crucial to safeguarding water quality, reducing flooding, and preserving the health of the Columbia River and our surrounding creeks and lakes. 

Why is Stormwater Management Important? 

As a working waterfront, we recognize that stormwater runoff - rainwater that flows over roads, docks, and industrial areas - can carry pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and debris in the the Columbia River and eventually, the Pacific Ocean. To protect local water quality, marine ecosystems, and the surrounding community, we take our responsibility to management and stewardship seriously. By implementing effective stormwater management strategies, we can mitigate these risks and protect our community's natural resources. 

The Port identifies specific management programs for operations at the Airport and the Central Waterfront District. Different business practices have unique considerations for stormwater management and require each industrial activity to employ control measures that are effective for their business practice as water flows across their operations onsite. 

The Port uses a variety of control measures to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff. These include:

• Site specific Stormwater Pollution Control Plan (SWPCP) and Spill Prevention and Response Plan (SPRP).
• Routine housekeeping such as vacuum sweeping and system maintenance. 
• Preventative measures such as drain filters, keeping dumpster lids closed, secondary containment of materials stored on property, and a separate process water management system. 
• Erosion control measures when doing construction activity to minimize sediment from leaving the project. 
• Education of the community, staff and tenants of their impact to stormwater runoff while on property. 

Our goal s to create sustainable, resilient solutions that balance economic prosperity with environmental stewardship. Sustainability and profitability go hand in hand!

What You Can Do to Help

Everyone has a role to play in managing stormwater! Here are a few steps you can take to reduce stormwater pollution:

• Only Rain Down the Drain!: Never sweep, wash or pour anything into a storm drain.
• Keep it Under Cover!: Do not leave materials uncovered outside when you are not actively using them and perform all equipment maintenance activities under a storm resistant shelter.
• Dispose of Waste Properly!: Prevent sediment, debris and trash from accumulating on hard surfaces and keep all dumpster lids closed when not actively throwing something away. 
• Keep it Looking Good!: Keeping your operations as clean as possible by regularly cleaning gutters, repairing leaky equipment, routinely sweeping, catch basin filters, and actively responding to drips and spills.
• If you See It, Say It!: If you see anything that may impact the stormwater system or the Columbia River, call [INFO NEEDED]

Together, we can protect our waterways and improve water quality in our community!

I'm a Port Tenant - Does This Apply to Me?

YES, all Port tenants should have a general understanding of Stormwater and its effects on the site, but depending on what industrial activities your business conducts, you may have specific best management practices or operational procedures that are required. Those that perform operations that may affect the lease and/or Port stormwater system must be trained within 30 days of their hire date and annually thereafter.