Planning for job growth and natural resource protections

The City of Portland is initiating several related efforts along the Willamette River, Columbia River and Columbia Slough to balance natural resource protection, hazard mitigation and economic opportunity. These priorities are already reflected in the Comprehensive Plan and these projects will advance these goals by updating policies and regulations. 

The stretches of land in north and northeast Portland along the Willamette River, Columbia River, and Columbia Slough are home to important natural resources, including floodplains, numerous smaller waterways that feed them, and wildlife corridors. These resources provide critical ecosystem functions, including improved water quality, stormwater management, and salmon and wildlife habitat. These areas are also home to Portland’s major industrial areas that support approximately 87,000 jobs, most of which are middle-wage jobs that do not require a four-year college degree. These types of jobs play an important role in raising the incomes of Portlanders who have historically been left out of personal and professional development opportunities.  

The following projects are analyzing the benefits and impacts of policy choices to advance natural resource protection, hazard mitigation, and economic growth in these areas. City staff are working in close partnership with Tribal Nations, environmental groups, neighborhood groups, labor and industry representatives, and other impacted community members to balance these goals.  

1. The Columbia Corridor-Industrial Lands Ezones Project will correct the location of environmental overlay zones (ezones) in the Columbia Corridor and other industrial areas to better align with rivers, streams, sloughs, wetlands, floodplains, forests, and wildlife habitat.
2. The Willamette North Reach Project will update policies related to industrial, recreational, and residential uses related to Portland’s northern stretch of the Willamette River. This project will balance industrial needs with natural resources and floodplain protections. Project webpage coming soon.
3. The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project will update Comprehensive Plan policies to regulate fuel facilities in the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub in northwest Portland. It will also explore zoning code changes to regulate development at existing facilities while encouraging safety upgrades.
4. The Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) will analyze and forecast growth in Portland’s industrial and other business districts, then designate an adequate 20-year supply of developable land for businesses and jobs.

5. The Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project will facilitate needed improvements to public infrastructure while ensuring the preservation of natural resources. These policy changes will apply to ezones Citywide.  
    

   View full size image of A graphic that depicts the priorities and geographic locations of each project, as described in the preceding paragraphs.

Ultimately, these policy choices and the related community feedback will be presented to Portland City Council, which will decide how to balance the objectives of natural resource protection, hazard mitigation, and economic growth and job creation.

There are many opportunities to get involved with these projects. Sign-up for project updates to learn more about upcoming events, opportunities to give feedback on plan drafts, and opportunities to testify at public hearings.