On September 25, 2025, a memorial was held for John Roland in Northport, a deeply missed champion of our land and waters who passed away in 2021. Roland was a senior hydrogeologist with the Washington Department of Ecology who played the lead role in securing funding and initiating the cleanup of the Northport City Park shoreline area. Roland was known as a tireless and cool-headed advocate for the project until his passing.
The memorial received an excellent turnout – about 60 people, coming from as far as Pennsylvania – reflecting the enduring legacy of Roland’s work and connection to the Northport community. The gathering included a sharing of powerful stories, fond remembrances, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque along with a beautiful white sturgeon sculpture commissioned by David Fitzgerald, a metalsmith who has lived in Northport all his life.
White sturgeon was chosen as a symbol of John’s efforts for the Upper Columbia River; these fish lived through generations of change and are emblematic of the quiet power of persistence, much like John through his work on the River and in Northport. Attendees from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, who helped pay for the memorial, shared that “the statue reflects not only John’s values, but a shared hope for restoration, resilience, and respect for the river, its people, and the life it sustains.”
As a Senior Hydrogeologist with the Washington Department of Ecology’s Eastern Regional Office Toxics Cleanup Program, Roland specialized in Upper Columbia Basin activities starting in 2004. This included taking the lead for state participation in the Upper Columbia River and Lake Roosevelt Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study. His legacy will be felt for years to come through the success of his work for a clean and healthy environment.
