PHCAG Notes for January 8th 2020
Group introduction
Trivia for wildlife that exist within the watershed
We see the CAG as an advisory group that actually advises. We hope that at the end of this panel discussion that we will actually have some information to advise.
Oregon Health and Wildlife panelist
wetland risk by PGE and …lets not sacrifice one species for another within the clean up.
…he is here to speak for the frogs.
Question- underpass for frogs in linnton
Reply- have breeding ponds on the side of Forest Park.
-There are 3 population of red legged frogs. There are counts the are being recorded for the red legged frogs.
-The monitoring tool to find what other species are the watershed to see and understand what type of wild life is moving through.
-Currently working with back yard program with Audubon to find out how species are moving and wildlife is moving through the watershed.
-Challenges
cross highways and tracks
lets not sacrifice one species for another within the clean up
not monitoring enough species
Bio accumulation ( eggs shells)
-Solutions
under pass
creating pods
cameras and transect
backyard habitat
track movement
de-pave
Bob Salinger
-Mapping the region for wildlife and surveying the area for protection.
can not write off 40% of the urban landscape for understanding wildlife movement with the city. Back yard habitats make a difference.
-Not doing enough monitoring of sediment sample and the risk of egg from Falcom – the egg failure for the falcons was in 2001
-There is impacts for DDT is still causing problems with birds in the area
Most impacted:
Falcon
Bald eagles
Brown pelicans
-Geese population move and change all the timel…many think that there are a higher population in our are, but the US is actually has a deficit of geese. Urban environments are the perfect habitat of geese…we didn’t used to have resident geese in Oregon 50 years ago.
Jeremey Buck
Portland field office for 10yrs.
-Oregon Fish and wildlife
-Responsible the migratory birds and fish
-There has been a decrease of chemical in the eggs that have been tested.
– there are 4-5 nest sites in the park (Forest Park)
-There is a sturgeon study for EPA for risk assessment
– the largest of the sturgeon (green and yellow) are very migratory and also move into the ocean
– they are traditionally a deep water fish.
Ottors detected in the system was male and transient- but they did find impacts of toxins in there bodies.
Caroline w/ Baltimore woods
-Decaor is an undeveloped street and wanting keep as natural a possible
Requesting for Oaks that would love to have all the sun that the area provides. Many years ago they have de-paved 2 acres for habitat.
Have a 45min slideshow that open for folks to see
Sunday Feb 23rd- St. Johns Theaters… meet in this room on the 1 Thursday of each month.
Had a PSU student doing native bee study with Baltimore woods.
-What are the benefit to nesting platforms? Osprey platforms are successful and we have plenty of habitat for them.
– How do you see the contamination impact and infrastructure impacts on wildlife…how can we have a working waterfront and wildlife?
We have a very uncivic minded in our city. They keep the risk high with communities.
There has to be strategic process to work within this type of environment. Industrial land owners have to protective trees just like anyone else. We have to keep enough of industrial land for future use = but then we allow condos and sports arena – the city will be looking to this particular rule. Track the economic opportunity analysis.
-Example good riverside development? – Toyota – and the port worked with them on that. How could NRDA be used to help the corridors? There has been some improvement (minks and bald eagles) What we are lacking is habitat for wildlife. There is some eagles that are fighting for space…NRDA runs parallel to the superfund and will add to the restoration of the area that is being restored. Now we need to put into place laws to make sure that we do not go backwards.
Realistic at our set back…of 25ft…the city has extended to 50ft- and the advice is to 100ft and we should have some strong flood plane mitigation.
The lower willamette water management plans
Wildlife like a lot of cover right down to the beach. Connection to the river and getting in and out the river is very important habitat for a variety of species.
-Is there a daylight effort within the 11 miles of the superfund stretch? Yes, in Linnton.
-Day light effort are very difficult because of the amount to contamination on the property… what we need to look into seeing how we can do better planning for the long term in the face of climate change.
Metro’s goal is the use for habitat in Willamette Cove…So there is still currently a balance act that
Milla- Funding for CAG….at Portland Raceway. And possibly raise 20-30K during the summer – this a way to help houseless people help raise funds for the CAG
Other possibilities…. Moda and Hills Brough Base Ball field
Wanting to apply for a RACC grant.
FMC, Willamette Cove, RM11E, and agreement signed…currently underway to have addition signed….48% of the ROD is missing.