Micah Russell, Director

Micah Russell administers and directs the activities of CREST: estuarine research and monitoring, environmental planning and management, economic development and educational activities with the cities, counties, and port districts of the estuary.  He works closely with partner agencies and groups in striving to further CREST's mission and offer valuable services to the community.  With expertise in coastal/estuarine ecology and fisheries, he is uniquely suited to oversee and implement CREST's research and monitoring programs, in addition to his directorial duties.

Amy Ammer, Habitat Restoration Specialist

Amy manages habitat restoration projects in the Columbia River estuary and greater Columbia Pacific region.  Her areas of expertise include land use and natural resource planning, resource management, and environmental education and outreach. Her primary focus is the Gorley Springs Restoration Project in the Grays River. This project involves restoring river habitat forming processes to increase floodplain connectivity and channel complexity. Additionally the project will focus on in-stream design to provide salmon habitat while reducing flood hazard risk to the valley. Amy is also working on the Fort Columbia Tidal Reconnection Project, Perkins Creek Restoration Project, Naselle/Grays River School District Native Plant Program, and assisting members as needed for small planning projects.

April Cameron, Biologist/Ecologist

April Cameron coordinates biological and ecological research activities, often in collaboration with other agencies.  She primarily monitors research along the Columbia River's tributaries, where dikes have been breached or tide-gates removed, for example, and vegetation rehabilitated, to restore tidal connectivity and habitat to their natural state.  She collects data on salmonids and other fish communities, water quality, prey, channel morphology, and vegetation, for example, to discern the effectiveness of restorative efforts.  In addition to her field duties, she obtains scientific collection permits, applies for grants, writes reports for various funding agencies, and processes data and lab samples.  These tasks highlight her fisheries biology and invertebrate zoology background, and data management and analysis abilities.

Holly Cook, Administrative Assistant

Holly works closely with the Finance Coordinator managing accounts payable and accounts receivable.  She is also responsible for maintaining the CREST website, coordinating council meetings, maintaining the CREST libraries and other administrative support as needed.

Jay Flint, Coastal/Estuarine Planner

Jay Flint manages projects and assignments relating to estuarine and coastal land use planning for CREST member jurisdictions in and around the Columbia River Estuary. His areas of expertise include land use law and environmental law. Primary responsibilities include reviewing land use permit applications of projects involving the estuarine waters and their shorelands for compliance with applicable laws, developing a County-wide natural hazards mitigation plan, promoting sound regional planning through workshops and seminars, and assisting local ports and governments on a variety of coastal land use planning issues.

Paula Gerttula, Finance Coordinator

Paula Gerttula manages the day to day financial management of CREST. Assists in preparation and participates in the annual budget process. Responsible for the financial tracking of all CREST grant and contract projects which average 30 open projects at any given time. Works closely with project managers to ensure all project expenses are within the requirements stated in the grants/contracts.  Administers employee benefits and other Human Resources duties.

Lori Lilly, Watershed Council Coordinator

Lori Lilly manages and coordinates the activities of the North Coast Watershed Association - a partnership of organizations including the Ecola Creek, Youngs Bay, Skipanon, and Nicolia/Wickiup Watershed Councils. Lori also acts as a liason between landowners, industry, and other stakeholders and works with the councils and CREST staff to identify, plan, obtain funds, and implement habitat projects. Examples of ongoing current projects include: Sharnelle Fee Tidal Wetland Restoration Project, Tide Gate Effectiveness Monitoring Project, Big Creek Monitoring and Evaluation Project, Skipanon Floodplain Reconnection Project, and Cullaby Lake Outlet Structure Improvement Project. Lori also proactively works to engage community members and volunteers in watershed awareness projects.

April Silva , Wetland Monitoring Specialist

April Rouse participates in a variety of research and monitoring projects as primary field staff. Her duties include applying a variety of techniques to characterize salmon life history patterns in restoring tidal wetland habitats. Project involvement includes Effectiveness Monitoring of the Chinook River Estuary Restoration Project, Chinook River Model Watershed Project, Big Creek Monitoring and Assessment Project, and Columbia River Estuary Tidal Wetland Restoration and Monitoring Project.