A council of tribal and federal officials released a draft plan Monday, charting a course toward a cleaner northern Willamette River.
April Baer / OPB
The council's work is separate from the federal Superfund cleanup process. Its focus on restoring natural resources is meant to help animals that have been harmed by pollution in the Portland Harbor Superfund site. The new plan prioritizes working in the harbor itself, but would also restore nearby floodplains and plants near streams.
Travis Williams directs Willamette Riverkeeper. He says a cleaner Willamette would require restoration projects and cleanup actions under the federal Superfund law.
"So, once you remove those toxics from the sediments from the Willamette in this stretch, and you restore some of the habitat that has been highly degraded over time, you’ll ultimately have a river that functions more naturally and be better equipped to support native species."
The plan highlights a variety of wildlife -- salmon, otter, bald eagle -- that are affected by the condition of the river. The plan is open for comment until Oct. 8.
