Blog post by Brett VandenHeuvel, Riverkeeper’s Executive Director—
The Port of Portland backs away from development plans and annexation agreement. Residents and conservationists cheered.
The incredible cottonwood forest of West Hayden Island is breathing a sigh of relief. After years of pressure from the Port of Portland to pave most of the island with a new industrial site, the Port is backing down. The Port previously requested that the City of Portland annex the island and approve the industrial zoning. The City asked for mitigation package and the Port recently refused. This is great news. The Audubon Society of Portland, led by Bob Sallinger, and residents of Hayden Island deserve tremendous credit for this victory to protect wild lands in Portland and livability of neighborhoods nearby. See the Audubon Society of Portland's press release.
Now is the time for long-term protection of West Hayden Island. As it has done repeatedly in the past, the Port of Portland will once again seek to pave West Hayden Island unless the area gets the protection it deserves. As the Port’s letter to Mayor Hales ominously stated, “We’ll find a way to move forward at our property on West Hayden Island.”
Media coverage of the Port's decision:
