Columbia Riverkeeper

“Before the 990 is submitted the financial staff reviews the draft 990 and then provides a finalized draft to the entire board, confirming that the 990 has been carefully reviewed and found to be complete and accurate.”

“The conflict of interest policy is provided to board members and reviewed annually. Columbia riverkeeper also maintains a board committee to ensure compliance with policies.”

“The board of directors determines the compensation of the executive director through the annual budgeting process after reviewing compensation of executive directors in similar fields.”

“Financial statements and governing documents can be viewed at the office of columbia riverkeeper, mailed or emailed.”

“Other program services 4: cleaning up hanfordthe columbia river runs along the hanford nuclear site, home to some of the most dangerous pollution on earth. A legacy of world war ii and the cold war, the federal government selected hanford as a top-secret site for the manhattan project, which called for enriching plutonium for nuclear weapons. The 586-square-mile hanford site rests on the ceded lands of multiple tribal nations. In 2023, riverkeeper worked in solidarity with the tribes and indigenous people who are leading the effort to hold the u.s. Government accountable for cleanup. Columbia riverkeepers cleaning up hanford program is one of eternal hope. Working on a cleanup with no end in a single lifetime presents unique challenges that our team grapples with every day. Radioactive and toxic pollution from hanford threatens water quality, salmon and peoples health. Contamination from hanford still reaches the columbia river. Without effective cleanup, more pollution threatens to escape into the environment in the coming decades. In 2023, columbia riverkeeper used public pressure, grassroots organizing, and technical assessment of cleanup plans to advocate for thorough, timely cleanup.together with yakama nations environmental restoration/waste management (erwm) program, we brought nearly 70 students from the yakama nation tribal school to hanford for a bus tour of their homeland. Guided by their tribal leaders and elders, students were able to visit the place that their ancestors have visited and occupied since time immemorial to learn about the pollution and toxic legacy that they are inheriting. This uncanny field trip built on years of collaborative school presentations by erwm and columbia riverkeeper to the tribal school and other local schools around the yakama indian reservation, an effort to prepare the next generation for the difficulties of hanford. We secured regional and national npr coverage of the field trip, so that even more individuals could hear about the importance of a proper cleanup from those most impacted. As climate change continues to alter the landscapeaffecting groundwater levels, the position of the columbia, the stability of aging infrastructure, and the federal budgethanford remains a threat to us all. Throughout 2023, our team engaged at a technical level on complex cleanup decisions. For example, columbia riverkeeper served on the hanford advisory board, a non-partisan government board that provides recommendations on hanford cleanup to the d.o.e., u.s. Environmental protection agency, and washington department of ecology. Our team also activated over 750 people to weigh-in for effective cleanup during public comment periods and worked closely with partners to advocate for strong support of long-term investments in hanford cleanup. Holding the u.s. Government accountable for effectively cleaning up the most toxic and radioactive place in america demands environmentalists, scientists, cultural resources experts, geologists, fisher peoplethe list goes on. But most importantly, the cleanup needs all of us. Other program services 5: engaging communitiesthrough the engaging communities program, columbia riverkeeper aims to connect people to the river and celebrate the diverse, vibrant cultures within river communities. This includes community events and programs at the nichols natural area, as well as in-person and online education. Over the last five years, columbia riverkeeper has continued to expand our relationship-building efforts to latina/o/x communities with culturally specific outreach and engagement, producing bilingual radio shows and the podcast conoce tu columbia (know your columbia) on environmental and social justice issues, and providing additional materials in spanish. Columbia riverkeeper also monitored the river to give people the confidence to swim. This year marked the 17th season of bacteria testing to help keep you and your family safe. Government agencies dont routinely mo”