CREST is Council of Governments that includes the local counties, cities, and port districts surrounding the Columbia River Estuary in both Oregon and Washington. CREST was initially formed in 1974 and current members include Clatsop and Wahkiakum Counties; the cities of Astoria, Warrenton, Illwaco, Gearhart and Seaside; the Port districts of Astoria, Ilwaco, and Wahkiakum (No.2); Port of Penninsula and Clatsop Soil and Water Conservation District. 

The governing body of CREST is the CREST Council, which is comprised of an elected official and an appointed alternate from each jurisdiction. CREST is not a regulatory agency. It is a regional organization providing a forum for members to identify and discuss issues of regional importance; to monitor and comment on governmental activities related to the development and management of the natural, economic, and human resources of the Columbia River Estuary; and to improve communication and cooperation between member governments. 

CREST provides coastal and estuarine technical services for members; coordinates activities between local, state, and federal agencies; and provides information, maps, and educational materials to citizens of the region. Dues, grants, and contracts fund CREST.

The initial purpose of CREST in 1974 was to gather scientific background material and produce a management plan for the estuary. The data initially gathered resulted in the 1977 publication, Columbia River Estuary Inventory of Physical, Biological, and Cultural Characteristics. The Inventory was used to develop the Columbia River Estuary Regional Management Plan in 1979, which was adopted in the local comprehensive plans, and shoreline master programs in the early 1980's. Based on data needs identified during the development of the Inventory, Congress authorized and funded the Columbia River Estuary Data Development Program (CREDDP), which provided a wealth of information that is still heavily used by the local governments in resource planning, as well as by state and federal agencies.

CREST assists local jurisdictions with permitting issues, zoning ordinance, comprehensive plan and shoreline master plan amendments, estuarine impact analysis, wetlands issues, dredging issues, and water quality issues. In addition, CREST is providing technical assistance to the six watershed councils of Clatsop County. Also, CREST continues to support K-12 environmental and marine educational activities, help citizens gain access to relevant information, and coordinate activities among various branches of government. Furthermore, CREST gathers information on topics of regional importance and provides updates to CREST's member jurisdictions