Willamette River Cleanup

It’s Your River. It’s Your Voice. It’s Your Choice.

Contribute to support the work of the Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group.

Portland Harbor Community Impacts Mitigation Plan

From US EPA: EPA continues to develop the Community Impacts Mitigation Plan (CIMP) for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. The CIMP is a living document that will serve as a guide and enforcement tool to reduce adverse impacts to the community from Portland Harbor...

Portland Harbor CAG meeting January 10, 2024

CAG Board Members Michael Pouncil, Chair Doug Larson Sarah Taylor   In Attendance Madi Novak, Interim Superfund Project Manager Laura Knudsen, EPA Dani Jochums, Triangle Associates Anna Hamilton, Triangle Associates­­ Sarah Greenfield, ODEQ Dawn Sanders, BES...

Oil, Chemical Firms Pay Millions to Fix Portland Harbor

An update as reported in the Environmental News Service 12/31/2023 PORTLAND, Oregon, December 31, 2023 (ENS) – People who eat fish that live year-round in Oregon’s Lower Willamette River are taking a big risk, as these fish contain levels of toxic polychlorinated...

Public Comment Period Extended for Recently Announced Consent Decrees

Thank you Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council for notification: On November 1st, 2023, the Justice Department lodged two proposed consent decrees in federal court among members of the Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council (Trustee Council) and...

Please Join Our Portland Harbor CAG at theBraided River Gallery at Lloyd CenterWednesday, November 8, 2023 At 5:00 p.m. Pacific

Please Join Our Portland Harbor CAG at theBraided River Gallery at Lloyd CenterWednesday, November 8, 2023At 5:00 p.m. Pacific**In Person event Only** at 1139 NE Halsey St, Portland OR 97232  *Please note that you will enter the mall on the Barns and Nobel level off...

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About the Portland Harbor Cleanup Site

The Portland Harbor Site spans 10 miles of the Lower Willamette River. The river sediments, surface water, and the fish that reside in the harbor have high levels of PCBs, PAHs, dioxins/furans, DDT and other pesticides which present an unacceptable risk to people’s health, especially subsistence and tribal fishers, and to the environment.

Under EPA cleanup plan, contaminated sediments at the site will be addressed through dredging, capping, enhanced natural recovery, and monitored natural recovery. Approximately 394 acres of sediment, out of 2,190 total acres in the site, will be actively remediated with dredging and capping, including removal of over three million cubic yards of contaminated sediments. Approximately 1,774 acres of the site with lower contaminant levels are expected to recover naturally over time.

Active cleanup construction work is expected to take about 13 years and cost $1 billion. Following the active cleanup construction phase, EPA expects a 100-fold reduction in contamination-related cancer and other serious risks. The river’s natural recovery process will further reduce these risks.

Portland Harbor Community Impacts Mitigation Plan

From US EPA: EPA continues to develop the Community Impacts Mitigation Plan (CIMP) for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. The CIMP is a living document that will serve as a guide and enforcement tool to reduce adverse impacts to the community from Portland Harbor...

read more

Portland Harbor CAG meeting January 10, 2024

CAG Board Members Michael Pouncil, Chair Doug Larson Sarah Taylor   In Attendance Madi Novak, Interim Superfund Project Manager Laura Knudsen, EPA Dani Jochums, Triangle Associates Anna Hamilton, Triangle Associates­­ Sarah Greenfield, ODEQ Dawn Sanders, BES...

read more

Oil, Chemical Firms Pay Millions to Fix Portland Harbor

An update as reported in the Environmental News Service 12/31/2023 PORTLAND, Oregon, December 31, 2023 (ENS) – People who eat fish that live year-round in Oregon’s Lower Willamette River are taking a big risk, as these fish contain levels of toxic polychlorinated...

read more

October 11, 2023 CAG Meeting

Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group October 11, 2023 Meeting Minutes   CAG Board Members Michael Pouncil, Chair Doug Larson Sarah Taylor Casimera Tadewaldt Melissa Berry   In Attendance Caleb Shaffer, EPA Laura Knudsen, EPA Sarah Greenfield, ODEQ Aaron...

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Portland Harbor CAG July 12, 2023 Meeting Notes

PHCAG River Mile 11 East Preferred Alternatives Report (PAR), River Workshop#6, EPA Test Sampling July 12, 2023     CAG Board Members Michael Pouncil, Chair Doug Larson Sarah Taylor Casimera Tadewaldt Melissa Berry   Also in Attendance: Anna Hamilton, Triangle...

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Letter: Oregon’s fuel on risky riverbanks

Published in The Oregonian, Letters to the Editor, 5/31/2023      Oregonians rely on fuel terminals —with gasoline, diesel and jet fuel — situated on unstable ground along the lower Willamette River banks.     Massive spills over 100 million gallons would not only...

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River School

Join us & others in our community to learn more about the magnificent river that runs through our city, — the geology, history and wildlife — the past, the current harm and the HOPE for the future!! Thursdays, June 8th to July 22nd/ 5:30 to 7:30pmPotluck Happy...

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