Lisa Libby's blog

Always wanted an ecoroof? Now is your chance!

Lisa Libby — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:57:21 -0700

Portland Building EcoroofThe rain has returned and with it comes billions of gallons of stormwater washing over our roofs and picking up pollutants along the way...

...unless, of course, you have an ecoroof.

An ecoroof is a vegated roof system that soaks up rain and allows it to evaporate back into the natural system, reducing the need for expensive piped infrastructure.

Portland currently has about nine acres of ecoroofs scattered among more than 90 buildings across the city. But Sam's Grey to Green initiative will work to increase that number - by a lot!

The Grey to Green goal is to add 43 acres of new ecoroofs in five years. The Bureau of Environmental Services will offer grants as incentives to install new ecoroofs on rndustrial, residential, commercial and mixed-use projects are eligible for the incentive program. . The grants will pay up to $5 per square foot for new ecoroof projects. Ecoroofs in Portland typically cost between $5 and $20 per square foot.

The city will spend about $300,000 on grants in this fiscal year, and will make grant funds available over the next five years.

The city will begin accepting grant applications on October 28. An Environmental Services committee will review applications quarterly and award grants.

The grant application packet will be available on October 28 at www.portlandonline.com/bes/ecoroof or by calling 503-823-7914.

The Bag Dilemma

Lisa Libby — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:08:22 -0700

"Paper or plastic?" The question may seem simple, but the answer is not.

Over 100 people filled Council Chambers Monday night to attend a forum hosted by Recycling Advocates to discuss the impacts of the estimated 170 to 340 million plastic grocery bags and 62 million paper bags that Portland uses each year.

21 pounds of plastic: This installation, created by Leave No Plastics Behind, will be on display at City Hall through the end of September.

Single use paper and plastic bags increase our dependence on foreign oil, generate greenhouse gas emissions, create harmful litter, and use unnecessary energy and resources.

Sam is looking for a way to reduce single-use shopping bags that is "good for the environment, good for business and good for the consumer."

The most obvious way to break our "bag habit" is to use a reusable bag. Much like separating our recyclables from our trash or returning bottles for a deposit, it will require a change in our usual behavior.

Education and outreach on this issue is critical, but is it enough? Some cities, states and countries around the world have imposed bans and fees to address this issue. What is the right approach for Portland?

Our Draft Discussion Guide outlines some of the perceived concerns and potential program elements for a Reusable Bag Strategy. We welcome your comments and feedback.

Attachment	Size
Bags_Adams.pdf	36.33 KB
Support_Letter.pdf	28.19 KB

Solving the Bag Dilemma: A Forum - September 22nd

Lisa Libby — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:16:53 -0700

Join Us at Portland City Hall on Monday September 22

Solving the Plastic Bag Dilemma: Is Oregon Ready?
A forum hosted by Recycling Advocates

Recycling Advocates' event of the summer has been rescheduled and relocated to accommodate the anticipated large turnout for this important and topical meeting. The meeting will focus on the debate raging around the use, recycling, and banning of plastic and paper bags.

When: Monday September 22, 2008
6:30 pm - Reception
7-9 pm - Annual Member Meeting & Public forum
Where: Portland City Hall, Council Chambers, 1221 SW 4th Ave.
RSVP: info@RecyclingAdvocates.org

Countries as diverse as Ireland, China, Bangladesh, Uganda and South Africa have all passed laws that in some way restrict the free distribution of plastic check-out bags and many more are currently considering it. Closer to home, last year San Francisco became the first major US city to pass a bill that will eventually ban all plastic bags from grocery stores and pharmacies. Los Angeles followed suit and Seattle's City Council voted to implement a 20-cent fee for plastic and paper bags at grocery, drug and convenience stores.

Sam recently announced his interest in bringing a resolution forward before the end of 2008 that will charge a fee on both paper and plastic check-out bags.

What are the implications of the massive and widespread use of plastic and paper bags? Doesn't Oregon do a good job with recycling them? How will Portland's proposal compare with Seattle's or San Francisco's? Why aren't we proposing an outright ban? How will grocery stores and
consumers handle the fee? Where do compostable bags fit into the equation? Now that Portland is considering a solution, when can the rest of Oregon expect the same?

The panel includes:
• David Allaway, Waste Prevention Specialist, Oregon DEQ
• Tom Watson, King County Recycling Specialist and Seattle-Times columnist
• Sam Adams, Portland City Commissioner and Mayor-Elect
• Brian Rohter, CEO, New Seasons Market

This forum is FREE and open to the public.
Please be sure to RSVP to info@RecyclingAdvocates.org

If you have already sent an RSVP for September 15th, please take a moment to reconfirm your RSVP for the new date of September 22nd . . .

Stormwater Management Manual Update

Lisa Libby — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:00:57 -0700

2008 Stormwater Management ManualThe City of Portland has revised its Stormwater Management Manual. While the intent of the manual has stayed the same, it has been reorganized to make it easier to read and use.

A few highlights of the changes include an explanation of the manual's hierarchy for managing stormwater, new design details, all new forms and guidelines, and a new Presumptive Approach Calculator (PAC) to help determine the appropriate size for vegetated facilities.

The 2008 Manual requirements go into affect October 1, 2008. Until then, the development community will be able to use either the 2004 Manual or the 2008 Manual.

The manuals are available for free on CD. Printed 2008 Manuals are also available for $25 each. You can purchase a paper manual or pick up the free compact disc version at the Development Services Center, 1900 SW 4th Avenue in Portland. To get a free CD by mail, please call 503-823-7103.

From Mount Tabor to the Willamette River... on Two Wheels

Lisa Libby — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:16:49 -0700

Bike & Swale

Take a ride through the Brooklyn Creek Basin on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services and Office of Transportation will lead a southeast Portland bicycle tour of sustainable stormwater management facilities, new bike boulevards, and related art projects.

What: Tabor to the River Bike Ride

When: Saturday, September 6
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Where: Participants will gather at SE 55th and Belmont and bike west

Why: To see how Portland will use rain gardens, swales and ecoroofs in the Tabor to the River-Brooklyn Creek Basin Program, and to learn about new bicycle transportation programs for more livable neighborhoods and healthier watersheds

BES Water Treatment Plant Taps into its own Renewable Energy

Lisa Libby — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:26:11 -0700

Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment PlantEveryday Portland's Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant produces over one million cubic feet of biogas, a natural by-product of the sewage treatment process. Now, the City of Portland can use more than two thirds of that biogas as fuel to generate electricity and heat for the treatment plant operations.

The city dedicated two of the plant's generators to biogas, which will generate 1.7 megawatts of electricity per day - enough to power 1,000 homes! That much electricity will supply about half of the treatment plant's daily energy needs. By reducing the amount of electricity the plant purchases, the city is able to recover the project costs in 12 to 15 years.

Most of the funding for the $8 million project comes from sewer user fees collected by Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services. Energy Trust of Oregon is also providing the city with a $362,000 cash incentive to offset project costs. The city will also use the Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit program to offset about 25% of the project costs.

At peak capacity, the co-generation facility will use about 70% of the treatment plant's daily production of biogas. Which means the facility will generate enough power to reduce the plant's annual electric bill by about 40%.

Wanted: Environmental Staff Associate (Summer Internship)

Lisa Libby — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:16:49 -0700

As Sam's Environmental Policy Director, I work on initiatives aimed to improve watershed health. It's intriguing and complex work and I'm looking for someone intelligent, passionate and motivated to lend a hand.

Required:

Interest in local environmental issues
Strong writing, research, critical thinking skills
Ability to provide general office support, as needed
Flexibility, adaptability, and a decent sense of humor

Desired:
Background/experience in Urban Planning, Environmental Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, or Urban Studies

Timeframe:
3 month duration

Please submit:

Cover Letter (1 page)
Resume
Writing Sample (5 page Max.)

Deadline: June 30th, 2008

This is a volunteer position.

~Lisa Libby
Senior Policy Director

lisa.libby@ci.portland.or.us
(503 823-4045
(503) 823-3017 (FAX)

1221 SW 4th Ave., Rm. 220
Portland, OR 97204

Go Paperless with PGE to Help Oregon Watersheds

Lisa Libby — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:07:57 -0700

Portland General Electric's new promotion, "Pick Paperless, Help Habitat" gives an extra boost to the environment when customers choose paperless billing.

Customers who opt to go "paperless" receive their bills through their e-mail addresses instead of receiving a hard copy bill in the mail. This saves paper, as well as the energy used to produce, transport and dispose of the paper.

To kick of this promotion, PGE is donating a total of $20,000 to four Oregon nonprofit groups that help with watershed protection and habitat restoration.

PGE customers will help determine the amount each organization receives by voting when they sign up for paperless billing from July 1 to August 15, 2008. The four organizations the donation will be divided among are:

Current paperless bill customers also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite organization by visiting the PGE website.

Community Watershed Stewardship Program wins National Carter Award!

Lisa Libby — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:17:08 -0700

Community Watershed Stewardship Program partners receive their award from Jimmy and Rosalynn CarterPortland is host to active and concerned citizens willing to take responsibility for bettering our environment. Last week Portland State University and the Bureau of Environmental Services were nationally recognized for fostering this spirit and harnessing the reigns of environmental stewardship efforts through the Community Watershed Stewardship Program.

On June 3, 2008, the program accepted the first ever National-Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus Community Collaboration for "best practices." Providing grants to citizen and community groups city-wide, the program has been reshaping our urban landscape one project at a time.

To learn more about the Community Watershed Stewardship Program check out a recent blog highlighting the 2008 award recipients or check out a program map showcasing over 100 project sites that have received funding throughout the city of Portland.

Congratulations Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grantees!

Lisa Libby — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:54:15 -0700

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is helping 17 local community groups to restore, enhance and protect Portland's watersheds through the Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP). The program awarded over $140,000 to groups that are greening paved areas, removing invasive species, planting trees, installing bioswales, painting murals, and much, much more. Check out the list below to learn more about the 2008 projects.

CWSP is a partnership between BES, Portland State University, and Americorps, to raise community awareness of and improve watershed health. The grants provide up to $10,000 to schools, churches, businesses and other community organizations for projects that protect and enhance watershed health at the local level.

2008 Community Watershed Stewardship Program Awardees

Depave Parking Lot Project
The group will replace 3,000 feet of asphalt located at N. Williams and Fargo Street with native plants, trees, bioswales and a patio area for group gatherings.

Eyes on the Slough Program
Eyes on the Slough, a community-based group through the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, will use funds to develop a data collection protocol for volunteer water monitors. In addition, funds will be used to purchase items to assist with the implementation of the program and support an Americorps project.

Kenilworth Church Stormwater Management Project
The grant helps transform their parking lot into a multi-use space for the church and community, with a green space, stormwater management and a playground area.

Lents Springwater Habitat Restoration Project
The grant helps the group continue restoring the Springwater Corridor by removing invasive plants and replacing concrete, gravel and asphalt with clean soil and native trees and shrubs.

Linnton Vegetated Infiltration Basin Project
The project will create a vegetated infiltration basin to store and treat stormwater runoff from the Linnton Community Center's property, parking lot and roof.

N/NE Minority Youth & Young Adults Connected to Community
The group will use the grant to perform maintenance and restoration of trails along the Columbia Slough.

NCNM Bioswales Initiative
The Environmental Action Committee will use the funding to develop plans to retrofit a campus parking lot for two bioswales.

Oaks Bottom Mural Project
Urban Greenspaces Institute will use the grant to revive a mural project, which has been on hold for 17 years, overlooking Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

PCC Sylvania Habitat Restoration Project
The Team will continue to restore the Sylvania Natural Area Park by removing invasives and planting native species. This will be the team's sixth CWSP grant.

Richmond Learning Lab Garden
The grant helps the Parent Teacher Association create a Learning Lab Garden, which will serve as an outdoor classroom and provide hands-on learning for over 500 students.

Stories of a Watershed
A partnership between Friends of Tryon Creek, Oregon Parks and Recreation and a volunteer Exhibit Committee will create a series of exhibits based on residents' stories about Tryon Creek. The exhibits aim to educate people and recruit volunteers to help with restoration efforts.

Tideman Johnson Stewardship Project
The Friends of Tideman Johnson will continue to remove invasive species and restore habitats along the Springwater Corridor Trail. Additionally, they plan to develop and enhance communication materials about the area and their efforts.

Trebol Community Ecoroof Project
Ecoroofs Everywhere LLC will use the funds to install an ecoroof and living wall at Trebol Mexican Restaurant and educate young people on ecoroofs and their local watersheds.

Tryon Creek Watershed Restoration Team Project
The goal of this project is to assess, prioritize, and achieve restoration success on the highest value private projects in the watershed through watershed mentorship. They grant will help with administrative and outreach costs.

Vestal Greenspace & Plaza
The students, teachers, and parents at Vestal will transform their asphalt playground into a greenspace to increase livability, create an outdoor learning space and improve watershed health..

Water Conservation for Watershed Health Workshops
Community Energy Project will use the grant to support the start-up and establishment of the Water Conservation for Watershed Health Program. The program will reach out to the community and educate residents on wise water use and how it is connected to stormwater management.

Westside Naturescaping & Habitat Restoration
The Oregon Humane Society will use CWSP funds to continue their work on improving and restoring the wetlands on and adjacent to their property by removing invasive species, installing irrigation and planting native species.

Gardening the Smart, Non-Invasive Way

Lisa Libby — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:09:04 -0700

Gardeners and backyard enthusiasts, check out this new, free book, GardenSmart Oregon. It provides helpful information and photos of invasive plants, along with native and ornamental plant alternatives that can be planted in their place.

While Oregon's weather and rich soil allow us to grow many plants from around the world, some of these plants can cause serious harm by spreading outside the garden. Invasive plants can threaten water quality, wildlife and our economy by crowding out native plants, increasing erosion and competing with agriculture crops. GardenSmart Oregon can help gardeners choose plants that are attractive and environmentally friendly.

GardenSmart Oregon is a partnership of OPB's Stop the Invasion campaign, Bureau of Environmental Services, and many others. Stop the Invasion is focused on protecting Oregon from all invasive species, and GardenSmart Oregon focuses on garden plants. Check out OPB's website for more information on both projects.

An electronic version of GardenSmart Oregon can be found here. Hard copies are available at BES, The Nature Conservancy, and other locations throughout Oregon.

Ecoroof Workshops - FREE

Lisa Libby — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:11:49 -0700

Here is your chance to learn more about ecoroof structure, design, construction and permitting. The City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) will be hosting this series of free technical workshops, beginning on April 29th.

All participants will receive a certificate of completion and may be eligible to receive city funding to support ecoroof construction.

Call 503.823.7213 or e-mail sandih@bes.ci.portland.or.us to register. Advance registration is required, and space is limited, so be sure to register early... but don't worry if the workshop it full. Rumor has it that the series will be offered again in the Fall.

For more information about ecoroofs, visit the BES website.

Ecoroof Workshop Topics and Dates:

Latest Data, Information and Resources
Tuesday, April 29

Structure and Design
Tuesday, May 6

Membrane and Waterproofing
Tuesday, May 13

Plants, Growing Media, and Irrigation
Wednesday, May 21

Permitting, Construction, and Operation and Maintenance
Wednesday, June 4

Relevant Documents:

Ecoroof Seminar Brochure

Worried About Noise in your Neighborhood?

Lisa Libby — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:16:54 -0700

Check out the newest feature on PortlandMaps: airport noise maps. Click here for a great example.

PortlandMaps now shows the noise levels around the Portland International Airport and how they impact surrounding neighborhoods. There are a number of maps showing noise levels at different distances from the airport, the aircraft landing zones and the areas impacted by noise.

Follow the PortlandMaps link to compare your neighborhood to others and learn more about what is being done to manage the noise around the airport.

Working Toward a Healthier Planet!

Lisa Libby — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:34:32 -0700

Source: usinfo.state.gov

Arbor Day and Earth Day are just around the corner and Portland is gearing up for fun activities and community service events throughout the city. Arbor Day events kick-off on April 4 with more than a week of tree planting and recognition events. Earth Day is April 22 (observed on April 19), with a variety of activities for all ages.

Check out the list below and choose an event to attend. Be sure to invite your friends and family; the more people working together for a healthier planet, the better.

2008 Arbor Day Events:

Greening the Eastside - Friday, April 4 at 12:30 p.m.
Friends of Trees volunteers will plant 30 large street trees as part of the Greening the Eastside Arbor Week Project. To volunteer contact Friends of Trees at 503.282.8846

Portland Arbor Day Celebration - Monday, April 7 at 10 a.m.
The City of Portland hosts a fun and educational event at Hoyt Arboretum, complete with a ceremonial tree planting. This is a great event for all ages held in the blooming Magnolia section of the arboretum. For more information, contact Portland Parks and Recreation at 503.865.8733.

Children's Tree Trail - Friday, April 11
All ages are able to explore the great outdoors with guided activities and hikes through Hoyt Arboretum. The event begins at the World Forestry Center. For more information, contact Hoyt Arboretum at 503.228.1367.

Arbor Week Community Fair - Saturday, April 12
Join many of Portland's environmental organizations at the World Forestry Center to learn more about trees and take part in fun, earth-friendly activities. For more information, contact Hoyt Arboretum at 503.228.1367.

2008 Earth Day Events:

Portland's Earth Day 2008 - Saturday, April 19 (all day)
Every year on Earth Day we gather to have fun and learn how we can help the earth. This year's theme, "Dance of the Dinosaur", focuses on what we can do as a city, and as individuals, to lower our energy usage. This free event is at Overlook Park in North Portland. For more information, e-mail the City Repair Project.

Tree Giveaway - Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to noon
Friends of Trees will give away bareroot trees at the Friends of Trees booth at Portland's Earth Day 2008 event. For more information, contact Friends of Trees at 503.282.8846.

SOLV IT 2008 - Saturday, April 19 (all day)
Thousands of local volunteers come together to work on almost 100 different volunteer projects. Volunteers are able to help neighborhoods by cleaning up neglected areas, beautifying public spaces, helping to restore watersheds and natural spaces, and much, much more. To help out, contact SOLV at 503.844.9571.

Earth Day Celebration - Tuesday, April 22 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Friends of Trees and the Bureau of Environmental Services are teaming up with Hosford Middle School students to plant six trees on the school grounds to promote watershed health. To join in the planting fun, contact Friends of Trees at 503.282.8846.

Speak up on Stormwater Management

Lisa Libby — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:49:04 -0700

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) needs your help in updating the Stormwater Management Manual. This is your chance to comment on the revised draft before it is adopted by City Council in late spring. The public review period is open until Friday, April 4 at 5 p.m. Comments can be submitted online at the BES website, or questions can be directed to rsmith@bes.ci.or.us.

Ecoroof at People's Food Co-opThe city requires all new residential and commercial developments to manage stormwater runoff on-site. The Stormwater Management Manual helps developers and property owners choose the best way to do so on their property. The management practices in the manual focus on landscape facilities, such as ecoroofs, planters and bioswales. The updated manual will be available in July 2008.