Invasive Species

Author: Mike Rosen

Non-native, invasive weeds are spreading through Portland's natural areas, displacing native plants and destroying wildlife habitat. In November 2005, City Commissioner Sam Adams convened a town hall meeting to begin developing a strategy to stop the spread of invasive plants.

As a result of the town hall meeting, City Council adopted the Invasive Plant Species Resolution. The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Watershed Division has the primary responsibility for coordinating and implementing the effort. The Watershed Division is identifying projects and resources to accomplish these objectives of the Invasive Species Resolution:

• Invest in maintenance of existing natural and re-vegetated areas.
• Build on existing citywide invasive species management investment.
• Incorporate invasive species management into existing watershed restoration work (i.e., implementation of the Portland Watershed Management Plan).
• Continue to coordinate with regional groups such as Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) and community-based organizations.
• Quantify and implement a 10-year goal of invasive species reduction on city property (Reduce, Control and Eradicate).
• Develop an ongoing, citywide work plan for invasive species management that integrates this work into regular operations.
• Partner with federal and state agencies to develop sustainable funding.

Accomplishments to date include:

• Increased Columbia Slough Watershed Investment Fund Invasive Species Control project by $40,000 to $100,000. In addition to management of invasive species on "orphan"* City property, we will expand the role of community involvement for invasive species removal on private property.
• Coordination with CWMA.
• Began work on the "Weed of the Month" Program and agreed to provide Watershed funds to sustain this work.
• Provided $30,000 in Willamette Watershed operating funds to Stephens Creek invasive weed control as part of Lower Willamette River Riparian and Wetland Enhancement funded work.
• Continued work with Stephens Creek Watershed Investment Fund team to further define work and clarify the Watershed Revegetation Program component.

Partners
• CWMA
• Portland Audubon
• Three Rivers

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