Grey to Green: A Comprehensive Approach to Clean Rivers and Watershed HealthBy Sam Adams
Without proper management, stormwater runoff can damage our watersheds, rivers, and streams. The good news is that Portland is well past the days of simply funneling stormwater into pipes that release fast-moving, dirty water directly into once-pristine rivers and streams. In 2005, City Council embraced a holistic approach to watershed health in adopting the Portland Watershed Management Plan. With this new strategy and thanks to on-going help and a steady application of pressure from organizations like the Audubon Society of Portland and the Urban Greenspaces Institute, we are ready to step up our investments in clean rivers and streams to preserve our urban watersheds for generations to come. We're calling this shift in the way we do business "Grey to Green". Portland is at the forefront of using "green infrastructure" - sustainable stormwater management technologies that mimic natural systems. The city is dotted with parking lot swales, green streets and rain gardens that filter stormwater pollutants and allow water to soak into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies. But repairing our urban landscape is not enough. We also need to restore and preserve existing natural areas throughout our city, by fighting invasive weeds, restoring native plants, protecting our most critical natural land, and replacing culverts that harm fish. These are not new approaches, but shifting our focus and resources from grey to green is a vital step toward improving the health of our watersheds and rivers. With this shift comes the added benefit that we don't get from miles of piped sewers - cleaner air and water, reduced urban temperatures, and increased and improved habitat. And, these approaches often cost less than traditional piped systems. What excites me most is that this new approach allows every residence and business to be a part of the solution, whether it's installing an ecoroof or simply planting a tree. Grey to Green is an investment that makes sense. And we are ready to act now.
Posted Sun, 04/27/2008 - 10:51am.
[[ Categories: Environmental Services | Events | Livability & Environment | News | Our Initiatives ]]
Marina, The North PortlandSubmitted by Lisa Libby on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 2:47pm.
Marina, The North Portland Noise Committee, which Sam started, was created specifically to address noise issues including the impacts of PIR on the surrounding community. He recently submitted a budget request to fund a joint study with Friends of PIR that was not included in the Mayor's proposed budget. ~Lisa » reply
If you dont like the noiseSubmitted by RedFlyer on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 3:54pm.
If you dont like the noise from periodic events at the historic Portland International Raceway that has been in place since 1961 move to a different neighborhood. I suppose next you will want to move Portland International Airport. » reply
Closing the SpeedwaySubmitted by Albert Kaufman on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 5:01pm.
Now that global warming is getting realler and we're running out of oil, might be a good time to close the speedway. We really don't have the luxury of pouring gasoline down the drain for our entertainment - polluting the air. It would make a great place for a City farm/orchard. Let's get real about our problems and stop the status quo thinking that keeps our problems growing beyond fixing. Close the speedway already!!!! And, vis the airport? I'd love to see the National Guard stop flyng sorties over Portland. a) it's only a matter of time before a plane crashes in a neighborhood - the fumes from the airplanes really aren't adding to anyones' health and the threat from an attack by fighter planes from ... ??? not sure why we need to be flying sorties every week around a major metropolitan area. So, yes. That's one airport that could be closed in my humble opinion!!! » reply
I am personally tired of theSubmitted by TwoBuckChuck on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 5:50pm.
I am personally tired of the BS coming from city hall and especially from Sam Adams. Can we like move him some place? Like out of town? » reply
A suggestionSubmitted by Steve on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 10:06pm.
Vote for Sho Dozono. To change City Hall it helps if you haven't spent the last 16 years in the bowels of city hall Like Mr Adams. » reply
well put...Submitted by Ron on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 11:19pm.
Thank you for contributing to the discussion. Your nuanced views on issues facing the city really add to the texture and context of the conversation. I hope to hear more! » reply
grey to greenSubmitted by Albert Kaufman on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 5:02pm.
btw, Sam - this usually refers to removing asphalt and turning it into gardens... see http://www.depave.org - we'd love help with our projects from the city. » reply
Grey To Green to socialist RedSubmitted by Michael Curtin on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 9:06am.
Please explain how City Hall getting into the gardening/landscaping business helps its citizens? Please provide the actual tax revenue reduction that will happen when Sam uses OUR money to buy and take 419 acres off the tax rolls. This Greenspace crap is out of control. We've already voted for 2 Greenspace measures that have taken 6000 acres off the tax revenues. What is not explained is the continuing costs to maintain these green areas. What is the cost of maintaining 950 street side bio-swales ripe with grasses and flowers? No wonder Mike Houck (Urban Greenspaces Institute) is an honorary member of the ALSA (American landscape architects). According to the plan, the money is coming from Sewer fees. My water/sewer bill is now my most expensive utility. Now its going up again to pay for this! » reply
Michael C., You may notSubmitted by Ryan M. on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 9:16pm.
Michael C., You may not recognize it but all the bioswales proposed in this intitiave will save the city a lot of money. When it rains the resulting stormwater picks up all kinds of nasty pollutants that eventually end up in our streams and rivers. By pollutants I'm talking about oil, pesticides, mercury, and many other harmful substances. The city can't just let these substances drain into the river. It is harmful to our rivers and fish and also against the clean water act. it is also in my opinion a moral and ethical issue. Either way the city is required to deal with it under the clean water act. So we can either build billion dollar engineering projects such as the big pipe to keep up with it... or we can build cheap bioswales all over the city that will natural treat this water and beutify our neighborhoods too. I vote for bioswales. I should also not that the big pipe project will handle a lot of stromwater but it does not have the capacity to handle all of it. We would have had to spend another half billion or some such insane number for that kind of capacity and treatment technology. Grey to Green is a very fiscally sound project... not some socialist conspiracy. » reply
Thank you for explainingSubmitted by David Dean on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 1:23pm.
Thank you for explaining that so articulately. » reply
very well putSubmitted by Ron on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 11:24pm.
Thank you for the great explanation about the benefits, and I mean fiscal benefits of the project. I love how so called "free marketeers" believe that they shouldn't pay for any public infrastructure because they cannot percieve a direct benefit to them. Shameful really considering that most of our pollution is heapped on the commons that we all share. "Grey to Green" is a terrific investment that any economist worth their salt would say is a fine use of public resources. » reply
BioswalesSubmitted by Paul on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 12:55am.
Bioswales are an interesting idea- its too bad that Sam for Mayor! » reply
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PIR Noise
Sam needs to be involved in the Liveable North Portland's community effort to help PIR reduce noise levels. To ignore the effort is turning his back on his neighbors, neighborhood community and the "green" quality of life for all Portlanders. Come on Sam...get involved with real issues with real people in your own neighborhood.