April 15, 2010

This afternoon, Council unanimously adopted the River Plan for the North Reach of the Willamette River, nearly a decade in the making. The Plan strengthens protections for the river while providing clarity, flexibility, and a streamlined regulatory process for companies that operate along the river.

The City has committed to supporting significant improvements to industrial infrastructure, environmental restoration, and trail creation, and to staffing innovative new programs like the Permit Streamlining Process and the Citizen Advisory Committee to ensure successful implementation of the Plan. The City has also demonstrated its commitment to a healthy, working waterfront through the establishment of the Office of Healthy Working Rivers.

While the Plan is still a work in process, it creates significant and exciting possibility for Portland. It provides the framework and the flexibility to create a truly sustainable harbor; one which supports fish and wildlife, a strong industrial economy, and opportunities for citizens to interact with the river - a river that benefits each of us.

Read more on Council's decision in the Portland Business Journal.