Columbia River Habitat: Portland Green Streets Project

I mentioned several months ago that the streets were torn up and a sizable project had commenced in the neighborhood. Eventually, it was obvious the various corners and intersections were being altered and it became obvious that catch basins were being built on a grand scale. I made some enquiries of the City of Portland and soon some information flowed my way re the project’s purpose and costs. 

Kate Goudschaal (C of P, Bureau of Environmental Services) wrote to me: ”You are correct that the major construction on the 16 stormwater facilities is nearly complete. There are a few small final restoration items that still need to take place to close-out the project but the facilities themselves are ready for planting this coming spring.”

The 16 Green Basins stretched down the street, on both sides. The heavy equipment and traffic disruption were evident, but not too intrusive. Of course, this activity was not directly in front of my house. Some homes lost parking directly in front of their home. In the quiet back neighborhood streets this is personally felt. In the inner city, one often can't park in front of your home.

 ”This project was designed in response to the retrofitting of 26 Underground Injection Control (UIC) sites in the area. UIC sites, also known as sumps, are large, vertical, perforated pipes that are installed underground to collect stormwater and allow it to infiltrate into the ground while pollutants and other sediments are slowly filtered out.  Retrofitting the sumps reduced the amount of stormwater they could collect which resulted in the need to create additional stormwater management options in the area.”  

 “The solution was to build a certain number of above ground stormwater facilities to adequately manage the stormwater runoff in the area.  Green streets function in the same way as sumps but on the surface of the street – horizontally as apposed to vertical and underground. The substrate and plants selected for the facilities are specifically chosen for their ability to filter pollutants and clean the stormwater before it infiltrates the groundwater system and/or is discharged to local waterways.”  

Right now, as I write, it is pouring out. The green basins are without any plantings. The run off, in our neighborhood, comes off a steep residential hillside toward the basins. They have been filling up with water at a fast pace. When the plantings come in the next month or so, the run off/drainage into the below ground sump basins should slow down.

“The facilities along (your street) are a little different however. Structurally, they are similar to other facilities around town, but they all have a lining installed in the bottom to prevent the water from immediately filtering into the ground water.  Instead, the water filters through the plants and substrate, is cleaned and then collected in a perforated pipe in the bottom of the facility that conveys the water to the local stormwater pipe system in the area. The stormwater pipes then carry the cleaned stormwater to discharge in the Columbia Slough.” 

An almost finished green basin. The structural part is done, and the plantings are coming this Spring.

“This project lies within the City Council’s adopted Columbia South Shore Wet Field Wellhead Protection Area which is the designated ground water source for Portland if/when the reservoir drinking water system fails. So, protecting the ground water and managing stormwater in this area is particularly crucial.  Stormwater management in this area helps maintain the integrity of the aquifer as well as cleans street runoff before it reaches the sensitive Columbia Slough waterway.”

 Ms. Goudschaal offered the following information when I enquired about the cost of the project to build 16 Green Basins: “The project was awarded to Brant Construction out of Vancouver, Washington for a winning bid value of $605,628.00. The 16 stormwater facilities made up roughly 40% of the overall project budget and came in at about $242,000.00. So, with 16 facilities included in the portion of the project, the total construction cost (start to finish) per facility came to approximately $15,125.00. This project is funded….through water and sewer utility rates.”

The following links from Ms.Goudschaal provide a wealth of information about this project and the greater picture involved in the handling of storm water:

There is a wealth of knowledge on this topic (and much more) on our website. I encourage you to do more research here:    Columbia South Shore Well Field Ground Water Aquifer: http://www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?c=29785

 Sustainable Stormwater Management: http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=34598

 Green Street Program overview: http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=44407&

 Watershed Management: http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=32184

If you have an interest in such a project for your area, check out the information to become informed.

 

 

Oregon’s Forests of Trees

My favorite...The Ponderosa Pine

Trees…everyone has an opinion about them. All agree they are beautiful in their varying varieties in Oregon. How they are managed and the impact upon watersheds and the livelihood of communities divide many. The Oregon Forest Resources Institute does a good job explaining the various forces at play. Of course, there are those that see OFRI as a green talking shill for the lumber producers. Maybe, but the site does provide some useful information about the trees themselves and that is interesting, all enviro lip flapping, hand wringing aside.

“Clearcutting, one of several harvest options, is a method in which most of the trees are removed and the forest is regener- ated by planting new trees. Not every location is suitable for clearcutting.

OREGON’S WESTERN FORESTS

West of the Cascades, forest landowners often choose to clearcut because Douglas-fir seed- lings planted after harvest grow best in full sunlight. Oregon law requires that new trees be planted within two years after harvest, and that trees be left as buffers around streams and retained for wildlife habitat.

OREGON’S EASTERN FORESTS

In more extreme climates, the forest canopy helps protect fragile seedlings from heat and frost, so clearcutting is less common. Trees are usually harvested individually or in small groups.”  OFRI

State of Jefferson…’A State of Mind’

I recall reading something about a sputtering effort to create a new state, a 49th state, called Jefferson, which would combine the a SW portion of Oregon and a Northern portion of California. The movement, ‘a state of mind’ had supposed momentum in 1941 only to be upended by Pearl Harbor.

State of Jefferson

I had to study up on the X X (double crossed by Sacramento and Salem) center piece for the ‘state seal’. It would be a curious blend of Independent Country folks and Ashland Progressives. (more)

Just a bit of NW oddities that has always made the region ‘special’ 

Watersheds and Stormwater Basins/Planters

Neighborhood under storm water planter box construction. Columbia Slough and Columbia R. benefit.

A typical urban enviro project for Portland. Supposed habitat enhancement, storm water runoff screening/filtering and reduced parking in front of homes. Trade offs/potentially significant for the watersheds. Where I have seen these types, jutting into the street, there are several gouge marks on the front end of the planter boxes from cars failing to see the reflectors and hazard yellow paint and becoming a temporary planter box ornament. A reasonable expectation, I mean people drive into power poles too.

Here the entire corner will be occupied by a storm water catch basin with foot paths cut through for pedestrian passage.

All this construction is on the downhill side of roads that run perpendicular to the Columbia Slough. In addition to the runoff, several springs run down off the hillside and enter the slough. I have such a spring running behind my property. I have left my property unaltered along the spring’s edges…neighbors along the way have not and I have seen the silt build up over the years, despite inspections, surveys and reviews. Anyway, below is how the storm drain basins are suppose to look upon completion…

We shall see how they function with run off; or, when under a foot of drifting snow and folks inadvertently drive into them. A reasonable attempt to I spose to control runoff of the waters moving South to North into the Columbia River Slough and Columbia River.

The Columbia River Watershed, where the I-205/I-84 meet and East, the terrain slopes toward the slough and the Columbia River.

Climate Models & Cutt’s

I glaze over any more with the mish mash of models, ‘mights’, ‘maybe’s', ‘could’s’ and I am skeptic, yes I use that word..skeptic, over the agenda’s of a few climate change advocates or the pre-conceived outcomes many studies show. This Western study has some typical model suggestions and vagueness, but it  ultimately leans heavy upon habitat enhancements as the only probable salvation for Western trout. The in your face man made infringements upon the water and edges of the waters is most critical at all times. Floods, volcanoes, run off, droughts….’maybe’. Improved models? Really? 

WESTERN TROUT WELLNESS STUDIES AND HABITAT NEEDS   

Cutthroat Trout fishindex.blogspot.com

Manhole Art, Eugene, Oregon

I stepped from my rig on E. 13th Street in Eugene, Oregon. I looked down and found a pretty nice discovery. I found it to be creative by whomever envisioned or designed it. I wonder if there are a variety of these beautiful manhole covers by East Jordan Iron Works in Eugene and elsewhere?

Eugene, Oregon on E. 13th Street

“East Jordan Iron Works, Inc. has been a part of the East Jordan, Michigan, community for over 125 years.  William E. Malpass and his father-in-law, Richard W. Round, established the foundry November 8, 1883, to service the area’s booming lumber industry.  At the time, the foundry produced castings for machine parts, ship parts, agricultural uses, and eventually railroads.  Soon after the company was founded, W.E. Malpass called upon his brother James, a journeyman machinist in England, to join the firm.”

Obama Drilling Ban Over Turned: Impact to West U.S.

“CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A judge on Friday threw out Obama administration rules that sought to slow down expedited environmental review of oil and gas drilling on federal land.  U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal ruled in favor of a petroleum industry group, the Western Energy Alliance, in its lawsuit against the federal government, including Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.” Huff Po Enviro            

DEFINITION OF A CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

“Categorical exclusions (CEs) are categories of actions that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the human environment either individually or cumulatively.”       Categorical Exclusions

Over Fishing: How Much Cat food, Omega 3 & fillets do we need?

OVER FISHING IN ONE MINUTE

http://see-the-sea.org/topics/commerce/overfishing.htm

Is there really that much demand for fish consumption worldwide? That coupled with an increase in aquaculture shows harvesting five to six times higher in the 48 year span the chart depicts. What has happened in the last 12+ years to catch rates….increased in all probability.

Seafood Consumption Guides by U.S. Region

Habitat Lost: Swifts, Coyotes and Teenagers…where will they go?

Habitat Gone...Just LIke That

I awoke to a rumbling on Monday. It was heavy equipment, off in the distance. Must be freeway work I thought. Yet, when I drove down the freeway there were no signs of construction or heavy equipment.

Again, yesterday, I heard the rumbling, but did not pursue further. This morning, when I got up, I looked out the back window and some giant piece of equipment loomed high into the air spewing forth wood chips. A mountain of wood chips.

The holly orchard (top of picture left) was being obliterated. I knew the land had been owned by a 90+ year old gent, whose kids lived somewhere in Washington State. I knew the Nature Conservancy had tried to talk the old man into bequeathing this parcel to them. It was one of the largest, undeveloped areas in my County surrounded as it were by developments.

The area has been home to coyotes, raccoons, hawks, deer, owls, squirrels and experimenting teenagers. In addition, it has been a longtime habitat to an enormous flock of Vaux’s Swifts (every bit the equal or superior to the Chapman Grade School Chimney flock). Now that habitat was leveled in two days with the biggest chippers I have ever laid eyes upon (like semi trailer sized). There now stands a giant pile of chips and a mound of trees yet to be chipped.

I don’t know if the family sold the property or what the intent is for the property now that it has been leveled. I can guess. More houses or apartments in an already overly developed area with little infrastructure to handle the traffic.

I don’t challenge private property rights to level some trees. But, the plans, if they exist, to build a bunch of ‘affordable’ housing has already degraded the area.  More to follow?

Update 7/28/11: A City Park. Land donated by old timer. Nice, better than homes. But, there is a park not 100 yards away. The street is at least partially occupied by the type that don’t move out of the way as you drive up. You know, on their sorry ass terms. The picnic benches are occupied by saggy pants thugs who sit atop the bench and put their feet on the seats. I don’t see many families except early in the day near the small play ground. Moms come early while the players sleep. So another park. Hmmm, ‘community’ (love that damn word) hearings are being held in a week. Sounds like with the rapidity with which the land is being cleared they already have their plan. Public input? Seeing as how I seldom see a cruiser at the park a block away, not much to say except roust the MFer’s. Keep them moving. Introduce yourself blue suit. Keep them moving like the Swifts and Coyotes.

Habitat Gone. The future of the land is unknown, but suspected. The picture is not very inspiring...just a scraped piece of land now. SwittersB

Maybe the critters have headed South toward the tall trees and the freeway beyond. My point to post this simply to note the loss of  a buffer zone, a natural area (granted a man made holly orchard) has disappeared. We always read about these disappearing wild areas. Here’s one in my own backyard. Neighbor tells me those Swifts had roosted in that orchard for over 25 years. Guess they roosted someplace else before the orchard. 

Rural America Declines

Outdoor Pledge (Just Leave Nanny Out of the Equation!)

Outdoor Life, 1962

Great idea. Just don’t let it be a vehicle driven by those that aim to control every aspect of your life. All sounds good ’til the never ending reg’s result.