NATURAL AREAS AND ENVIRONMENT

The Hazelwood Neighborhood Association is exploring the possibility of adopting a section of the new 97th Ave "green street" -- the segment just south of NE Glisan. In addition to maintaining the new swale at that location, they are working on plans to landscape the bank between the I-205 MUP and the light rail track, using native plants compatible with the lone pine tree on the bank now. They are working with ODOT and Friends of Trees.

The Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association has an established long term restoration project on the Springwater Corridor between SE 128th and SE 136th. Several events have taken place that have removed invasive species such as ivy and blackberries and replaced it with native species. At least two native species plantings have already taken place.

The Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s “Volunteer Project in the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood” was on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Pleasant Valley Grange. Kelley Creek, a Johnson Creek tributary winds around the Grange property. Twenty five volunteers attended the three hour blackberry removal event. The trees we aimed to save that day were planted at the Pleasant Valley Grange six years ago and they looked tall and healthy, except for the blackberry brambles that had begun to take over. The volunteers eradicated the blackberry from the one entire side of the land bordering Kelley Creek on the Grange property. These hard workers dug up over two pick-up truck sized loads of blackberry brambles. Three volunteers donned waders to remove trash dumped directly into the water too. One pick-up truck load of garbage was removed from the creek; noteworthy items included several tires and a toilet.
Special thanks to all the JCWC volunteers who contributed to this EPAP-funded effort!

David Allred, Bureau of Environmental Services
(David [dot] Allred [at] PortlandOregon [dot] gov)posted the following:
East Lents Flood Plain Restoration, Phase II -- Project update May 9, 2012

Though construction season doesn’t start for a few more weeks, a lot has been happening on the East Lents project.

The January 19th flood demonstated the usefulness of the project in helping control flood waters. This was a "five year" flood that formerly would have been likely to close Foster Rd.

To get ready for construction of Phase II, several large trees were de-limbed to encouage spring birds to nest elsewhere. The remainder of these trees will be taken down when construction resumes in May. Some of the trunks and root balls will be used in the stream for bank stabilization and fish refuge.

The Rollin' Tire interpretive kiosk at 108th and Foster has been completed.
Visit the kiosk and look at the information boards.

2012 Construction Season--work starts in late May.
The same contractor that worked on the project last year, Tapani Underground Inc., won the construction bid this year. They’ll start work in May or June and should be finished in November. This year’s activities will include:

Removing the bridges and most of the roads on SE 106th, 108th and 110th Finishing construction of SE Cooper Street Finishing creek bank improvements Creating an overflow creek channel to access the wetlands in the southwest corner of the site Removing an additional 18,200 cubic yards of material Constructing a pedestrian bridge near the present SE 106th Avenue and creating a trail from Foster Road to the new SE Cooper Street where it ends at SE 108th Planting the site with native trees and vegetation beginning this fall and continuing into spring 2013

If you see dumping at the project site, please call the Portland Police Bureau non-emergency number, 503-823-3333.

For more information visit our web site at:
http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/EastLents

Work is underway on the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project. This is the first year of a two-year project to restore 24 acres of floodplain on a 70-acre site located south of Foster Road between SE 106th Avenue and the Brookside Wetlands (east of SE 111th/112th Ave). In addition the project will:
- Add flood storage
- Reduce the frequency of flooding on Foster Road, area homes and businesses (Johnson Creek currently floods an average of every other year.)
- Improve habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife
- Recreate stream channels and shade the creek
- Help meet State of Oregon water quality standards and Endangered Species Act requirements
- Help revitalize the Lents area

The project includes removing more than 50,000 cubic yards of soil (about 5,000 dump truck loads) from lowlands next to Johnson Creek to reconnect the creek to its floodplain. After excavation is complete, Environmental Services will revegetate the project site with about 70,000 native trees and shrubs.

For more information see the Environmental Services' website, search: East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project or contact David Allred at 503-823-7287 or david [dot] allred [at] portlandoregon [dot] gov

BES is working with Portland Parks and the Army Corps of Engineers to restore the wetlands west of Beggars Tick to the base of Zenger Farm. The Springwater Wetlands project has been a work in progress, awaiting Army Corps funding since 2002. City staff is currently working with Army Corps to finalize the planning and design process. Construction is expected to start in 2012 with removal of invasive species from the wetlands. The project will improve the function and habitat value of the wetlands. Pending funding, the project may include pedestrian access and a public use 'hub'.

Completed land aquisition for E Lents Floodplain Restoration Project in 2011, for a total of 119 acres preserved in frequently flooded and sensitive natural areas.

Construction on Phase I E Lents Floodplain project will begin this spring. Phase II is in early design. BES acquired a $2.7 million FEMA grant for this project. Total design and construction project costs are approximately $6 million with land acquisition costs of approximately $10 million.

On Feb 19th, Members of Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood planted 180 wildflowers East of SE 128th Ave., along the North side of the Springwater Trail. The area planted had been cleared of an over growth of chickary on Jan. 17th and is approximately 15,000 sq. ft. We may be able to arrange another planting before the end of March.
PGNA, with PP&Rec will again be pulling ivy on the South side of the Springwater Trail on March 26th, near the same location. Some members of the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood will also be assisting Johnson Creek Watershed Council in their Watershed Wide Event, pulling ivy at Leach Botanical Gardens on March 5th. These upcoming events are contingent on the weather.

Restoration of the Johnson Creek watershed in the Leach Botanical Garden properties continues and will be enhanced by a Johnson Creek Watershed Council/ Leach joint project in March.
A spawned coho was found on the banks of the Creek in the Park in January.

Leach Botanical Garden Business Plan includes values which support better active and passive recreation in the historic Garden grounds as well as in design elements to be included as the Upper Garden plans go forward.