The Coastal / Estuarine Planning Department performs the work that is at the core of CREST’s service to the lower Columbia region. This program assists local jurisdictions with state and federal permit applications, zoning ordinance drafting and review, comprehensive plans, shoreline master plan amendments, shoreline and waterway development review, and environmental planning and plan implementation. For more information on Coastal/Estuarine Planning, contact Alejandro Bancke , Coastal/Estuarine Planner.

CREST has been a vehicle for the local jurisdictions and region to develop integrated coastal management of their resources. The Coastal / Estuarine Planning Department has developed several comprehensive management plans for the region. Click here to review these publications including the Columbia River Estuary Regional Management Plan (1979) and the Columbia River Estuary Dredged Material Management Plan (2002).

The Coastal / Estuarine Department provides GIS mapping and inventory services to CREST members and the general public.  Click here for a GIS data request form.  For more information on CREST’s GIS database of planning projects, contact Alejandro Bancke, Planner/GIS Technician.

CREST also offers Wetland Determination & Delineation, GIS-based Local Wetland Inventories (LWI), and assistance with Wetland Compensatory Mitigation.  As land use pressures grow on the coast, CREST strives to help guide local jurisdictions through state and federal regulatory laws.  Examples of our projects include the City of Astoria LWI, City of Seaside LWI, City of Gearhart LWI, Port of Astoria Airport Industrial Park Wetland, Vera Slough Mitigation Project Delineations, and Clatsop County Youngs River Loop Road Wetland Determination. For more information on CREST wetland services contact April Silva, CREST's certified wetland delineator.