Habitat Restoration Progresses for Portland Harbor Fish and Wildlife
JUNE 22, 2018 — National Ocean Service Assistant Administrator Russell Callender and OR&R Director Dave Westerholm met on June 20 with key partners of the Rinearson Creek Restoration project in Gladstone, Oregon.
The 33-acre restoration area is being created to bring back riparian, off-channel, and upland habitats for Chinook salmon, lamprey, bald eagle, river otter, and mink, as well as several important amphibian species.
The Rinearson Creek project is being developed in connection with a natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. Releases of oil, PCBs, heavy metals, pesticides, and other hazardous substances contaminated the Portland Harbor site, adversely affecting habitats, fish, and wildlife.
Developed prospectively by a private company called Falling Springs, the Rinearson Creek project will provide “credits” for Portland Harbor natural resource damages settlements through an innovative restoration banking process.
“The Rinearson Creek restoration project exemplifies the restoration outcomes that are possible through diverse partnerships involving local government and community, private companies, and natural resource trustees” said Callender. “This partnership is a great example of what’s possible when people work together and NOAA is proud to support it.” Callender and Westerholm joined co-trustees for Portland Harbor, the restoration developer, staff from the City of Gladstone, and private landowners for the site tour. The restoration began in 2017 and should be completed this year.
For further information, contact Robert.Neely@noaa.gov.