Fall 2023

News & Updates on Portland Harbor Restoration
 

New virtual tour available of the restoration sites in Portland Harbor!

The Trustee Council developed a virtual tour video to showcase progress at the four restoration sites developed as part of the Phase 2 early settlement process. Independent restoration developers implemented actions to benefit fish and wildlife affected by contamination released into the Portland Harbor Superfund site. The virtual tour highlights the layout, restoration actions, before and after conditions, and wildlife sightings at each site.

Virtual Tour of Portland Harbor Restoration. URL: https://youtu.be/nTbFPan7MwQ?feature=shared

Click the image above to view the Trustee Council's virtual tour video

Portland Harbor News: Two Consent Decrees Lodged

On November 1st, 2023, the Justice Department lodged two proposed consent decrees in federal court among members of the Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council (Trustee Council) and over 20 potentially responsible parties (PRPs) at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site in Oregon. 


The agreements, with an estimated restoration value of approximately $33.2 million, require the PRPs to pay cash damages and/or purchase credits in projects to restore salmon and other natural resources that were lost due to contamination released from PRP facilities into the Willamette River. This settlement includes more than $600,000 in damages for the public’s lost recreational use of the river, and restoration and monitoring of culturally significant plants and animals.

Juvenile Chinook Salmon

Juvenile Chinook Salmon

The four restoration projects selling restoration credits – Alder Creek, Harborton, Linnton Mill and Rinearson Natural Area –provide habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act and of tremendous cultural significance to the Five Tribes. The projects will also restore habitat for other fish and wildlife injured by contamination in Portland Harbor – like bald eagle, mink and lamprey – as well as Tribally significant native plants – like camas, wapato, and sweetgrass.


“The trustees are very pleased that the responsible parties in this settlement have advanced restoration over litigation- the large-scale restoration projects facilitated by this settlement will help address the most important habitat needs of fish and wildlife injured by contamination in Portland Harbor,” said Director Curt Melcher of Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.


The settlement is currently subject to a 45-day public comment period and final court approval. It is now available for viewing at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decree/us-et-al-v-acf-industries-llc-et-al.


Read more about the consent decree process here on the Trustee Council’s webpage and find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) here.

Overlooking the Willamette River towards the city of Portland

Upcoming Events

Once a Braided River, a documentary screening at St. Johns Twin Cinemas

December 5th 7:00PM This new documentary by Barbara Bernstein, tells the story of how the North Reach of the Willamette River was transformed from a braided river into an industrial sacrifice zone with a ten mile long Superfund site running from downtown Portland to the river's confluence with the Columbia River. This screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Bob Sallinger, Sarah Taylor, John Wasiutynski and Jay Wilson, who are featured in the film, and moderated by Barbara Bernstein. Additional information can be found here.


Portland Harbor Virtual Collaborative Meeting (Online)

December 6th 5:30PM - 7:30PM The Portland Harbor Collaborative is made up of a diverse group of individuals with varied interests and perspectives who also want to be involved in the Willamette River Cleanup. Everyone is welcome to observe the quarterly Portland Harbor Collaborative meetings, though participation will be focused on Collaborative members. Find out more information as it's updated here.



Cathedral Park Summer

Cathedral Park during the summer 2023

Portland Harbor in the News







Deer at Alder Creek

Deer foraging during the summer

at Alder Creek restoration project

The Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council is responsible for restoring natural resources that have been impacted by contamination in the Portland Harbor Superfund site. The purpose of this newsletter is to share information about the Trustee Council's work with those who are interested in our assessment and restoration efforts. 


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