Washington Public Ports Association Honors Port With Creative Partnership Award for Clover Island Restoration

Port of Kennewick Creative Partnership Award

At its annual spring meeting on Saturday, Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) selected Port of Kennewick as the association’s 2023 Creative Partnership Award winner.

WPPA recognized the port’s creative collaboration with Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Benton County, and City of Kennewick to restore and revitalize Clover Island. 

The effort began in 2008 with conversations between the port and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Port of Kennewick recognized the Tribes as essential community partners and asked for their perspectives before developing plans.

Construction to restore Clover Island started in 2010 and concluded with the final phase earlier this year. The port and its partners secured local, state and federal funding to stabilize sections of the Columbia River shoreline, add public amenities and recreational spaces, and restore the riparian habitat for wildlife and young salmon.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers specifically identified the port and CTUIR collaboration when selecting Clover Island for federal funding among a national field of deserving projects.

In all, the partners stabilized and restored nearly a mile of shoreline, constructed a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lighthouse PATON (private aid to navigation), renovated a boat launch, expanded the Clover Island Riverwalk, commissioned 10 public art installations, added 11 scenic viewpoints and numerous other public recreation amenities.

The cooperative redevelopment effort has increased regional tourism spending. The improvements are also fostering a lively destination gathering place with restaurants, public artwork and a scenic public pathway and restoring the Columbia River as an important regional asset.

Learn more about the Clover Island revitalization at portofkennewick.org/projects/clover-island.

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