News From The Drainage District

Flood Safety Monthly, July 31, 2015 View this email in your browser Protecting lives, property and the environment through innovative, proactive, flood plain management Peninsula Drainage District #1 | Peninsula Drainage District #2 | Multnomah County Drainage District #1 | Sandy Drainage Improvement Company Upcoming Events Columbia Slough Regatta Aug 2, 9 am - 1 pm MCDD 1880 NE Elrod Dr. (more details below) PEN 1 Board Meeting Aug. 24,  9:00-10:00 am MCDD Conference Room 1880 NE Elrod Dr.  4MAT Meeting Sep 24 , 10:00 am-2:00 pm MCDD Conference Room 1880 NE Elrod Dr.  Levee Ready Columbia* Sep. 24?  *Formerly "Oregon Solutions Levee Improvement Program 4MAT Meeting Oct. Time and Date TBD MCDD Conference Room 1880 NE Elrod Dr.  Bookmark our eventscalendar here Oregon Solutions becomes Levee Ready Columbia! July was an important month for the levee program. As many readers may know, for the last two years MCDD has been working with community, environmental, business and government partners to ensure to that our levee system meets federal standards and provides flood protection for our community. On July 17th partners formalized their commitment to this effort through the signing of a Declaration of Cooperation. The Declaration, though not legally binding, articulates the program's goals and principles, and documents how the partners will work together to ensure that our community continues to protect the important economic, social, and ecological benefits provided by our levee system. Multnomah County Commissioner Jules Baileycaptured the significance of the event in his remarks, "We move today from exploration to  analysis and action... critical for our community’s safety and resiliency, for our region’s business and economic health, and for our responsibility as stewards of these levees. Thanks to Oregon Solutions for developing this partnership, framing this table and fostering the goodwill and collaboration that is a hallmark of your organization... Signing on formally together today, solidifies that strength and makes sure we have a foundation for the future." In addition to signing on to the Declaration of Cooperation, the partners adopted a new name for the program: Levee Ready Columbia: Flood Protection for the Portland Community. Look for more news and updates on Levee Ready Columbia this fall. Until then, you can always learn more athttp://orsolutions.org/osproject/leveeready, or by contacting Levee Ready Columbia program office (located at MCDD) at (503) 281-5675, or 1880 NE Elrod Dr. Portland, OR 97211.  Above: The Oregon Solutions Levee Ready Columbia partners gathered for the signing of the Declaration of Cooperation on July 17, 2015. Columbia Slough Regatta on Sunday! MCDD is proud to be hosting the Columbia Slough Regatta on Sunday Aug 2. In addition to providing access to the slough and free kayak or canoe rentals, this year's event will have a live band, food vendors, and tours of the levee and pump station. MCDD values its partnership with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and we are very happy to help introduce paddlers to the importance of conservation on the slough as well as the important public safety and flood protection work of the Districts. For more information on the Regatta, visit:http://columbiaslough.org/ Recent Operations and Maintenance Vanport Wetlands draw down While MCDD's primary responsibility is drainage and flood protection we examine every opportunity to work with our partners and deliver on our mission to protect the environment too. One example of this is our partnership with the Port of Portland to manage water levels in the Vanport Wetlands. By carefully managing water levels in the wetlands, MCDD has helped create habitat used by over 100 species of birds, This time of year, MCDD is drawing down the water level in the wetlands by about 6 inches every two weeks. This will result in some mudflats by August, to support migratory shorebirds. For more information visit the Port of Portland. Levee maintenance update MCDD field crews continue to progress the through the annual schedule of levee maintenance. This includes mowing the grass on the levees and removing harmful vegetation. This time of year most of the maintenance in PEN 1 and PEN 2 is complete (save some areas that must be cleared manually). Mowing work will continue west to east through MCDD and into SDIC over the next month. As you can see in the picture below, MCDD also got a new sign to alert auto traffic and trail users to our maintenance work. Tree and stump removal near the airport If you've noticed a lot of trees down, stumps, or work crews along Marine Dr. just east of the Airport recently, you've seen MCDD at work. The trees in this area did not comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. MCDD worked with the Port of Portland to have them removed. To ensure that the Marine Dr. levee was unharmed, the stumps and roots had to be carefully removed so that decaying roots wouldn't damage the levee. Above left: MCDD levee maintenance in progress, mowing along the Marine Dr. levee just west of I-205. Above right: Tree stumps that were removed along the levee to comply with U.S. Corps of Engineers standards. Emergency Preparedness Throughout July, MCDD staff have been working hard to improve the flood emergency action plan for the Districts. Two major improvements were accomplished this month include: Drafting levee patrol areas to guide inspections during a high water event Clarifying triggers for action and how they coincide with the National Weather Service’s flood categories. (An example “trigger for action”: water elevation at Vancouver Gage reads X feet so Y response must be initiated.) MCDD personnel will continue to work on the flood emergency action plan throughout the summer. Though we are currently not experience flood conditions or high flood risk, we are experiencing extreme heat this summer. Access Multnomah County’s webpage, "Help for when it's hot" to learn about how to stay safe and cool in this weather. Cooling center hours and locations and more can be found on this site. Stay Prepared – Stay Safe. As always, if you have questions about emergency preparedness at the Districts, please call us at 503-281-5675.  Noteworthy Links Vanport the Musical  on July 31st and August 1st.   Columbia river levees still inadequate for flood    Portland shuts of back up water supply (Columbia South Shore Well Field)   Riverfront greenway as flood control in Cedar Rapids   El Niño update

Protect Portland's Trees

We lost our trees and are paying for it with no shade and hotter homes during these heat waves - please help the rest of Portland save theirs.......

Portland’s oldest trees need protection.  On August 4th, The Urban Forestry Commission will be taking public comments about how the city’s tree code allows for the removal of large, healthy trees in Portland.  If you are unable to attend this urban foresting meeting, please email city officials (addresses below). Trees are something we're all passionate about, but comments should be respectful, thoughtful and we ask that you identify yourselves as Friends of Trees supporters.  Friends of Trees is joinging with our allies at The Audubon Society of Portland in  urging the Commission and the City Council to strengthen the existing tree code in these areas - Tree replacement should fully compensate of loss environmental values: The City can help discourage removal of large healthy trees by requiring that their full environmental function and value be replace. Increase tree replanting requirements: Increase the number of trees required to be planted when trees are cut. City agencies should meet a higher standard: The City of Portland should lead by example. City-owned trees or street trees removed for public improvement projects should meet a higher standard of tree replacement and planting.  New solutions for Street Trees. We need “street improvements” that don’t put health trees in the cross-hairs. Increase regulations and incentives to preserve large healthy trees. Establish new standards and permit approval criteria to preserve very large healthy trees. Waive lot line set backs and/or parking requirements to preserve trees. For more information and for details on the Urban Forestry Commission hearing please visit the Audubon Society of Portland's website.    Email -  Mieke Keenan at mieke.keenan@portlandoregon.gov  Commissioner Dan Saltzman, Dan@portlandoregon.gov Commissioner Amanda Fritz, Amanda@portlandoregon.gov     503-282-8846 www.friendsoftrees.org

Bridgeton Street Sale....save the date

Not all of us on Bridgeton have garages,  so it's hard to call it a garage sale.

Instead we all gather up and down the street and sell each other all our "what we don't wants."

If you're on Bridgeton set up your sale and visit your neighbors to buy their stuff.

If you're not on Bridgeton, come and see our neighborhood and buy stuff...

Sun, Jul 26, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Summer On The Slough

Take a look at our summer events and join us!​  All events are free and open to the public (registration required in most cases). See you this summer! EVENTS FOR ALL (FAMILY FRIENDLY)

Columbia Slough Regatta Sunday August 2nd, 9am-1pm Multnomah County Drainage District 1880 NE Elrod Dr, Portland, OR 97211 The Columbia Slough Regatta is a kayak and canoe event for the whole family! We have a few spots left; register today! The Columbia Slough Regatta is great for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Despite the name, the Columbia Slough Regatta is not actually a race, more of a leisurely wildlife-watching group paddle. We provide the boats or you are welcome to bring your own. A donation of $8.00/person or $25/family is requested. Pre-registration required.Online or (503) 281-1132

Volunteers Needed for Regatta!Join in the fun as a volunteer at our largest paddling event of the year! Volunteer Shift Times: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Set-up) 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (Event) - Priority shift 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM (Clean up) Volunteer Positions Volunteers run our registration table, our parking area, provide safety talks for our new paddlers, act as safety boats, fit lifejackets and move equipment. Positions available for various experience levels. Paddling opportunities available for volunteers as well! Interested? Learn more and sign up to volunteer online. For more information, contact our volunteer coordinator atHanna.Davis@columbiaslough.org or call (503) 281-1132. Summer Tadpole Tales Last Wednesday of the Month 10:00am - 11:00am June-August Summer tadpole tales will be held on the last Wednesday of each month during the summer months at Nadaka Nature Park. ​ Children aged 3-5 with their parents are invited to a short story and guided nature walk. Watch birds fly overhead, search for hidden animal homes, and learn about local trees and flowers! $3 admission/donation per child, no charge for adults. ​Learn More and Register Here Bat Night Friday, August 28, 7:30 - 9:30pm Whitaker Ponds has a high diversity of bat species who wait to hunt until after the sun goes down. This trip is suitable for families with children aged 5+; pre-registration is required.  Space is limited to 20 people.  Suggested donation of $5/person. Space is limited, so register today!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS & OLDER YOUTH

Subs on the Slough Friday Aug 14th, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Join the Portland Water Bureau and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a free lunchtime tour. Learn about protecting Portland’s underground drinking water source in the Columbia Slough Watershed, and view the solar array that helps off-set the Portland Water Bureau’s energy needs. Lunch is provided at picnic tables along the scenic Columbia Slough trail. Advanced registration required; suitable for adults and children 10 & up. Learn more and register here Ladies Lunchtime Paddle Thursday Aug 20th, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a ladies lunchtime paddle! Bring your own boat or borrow one of ours (spots limited).  We’ll be putting into the upper Columbia Slough; with views of Mt. Hood, this is one of the most scenic sections of the slough!  Enjoy this adventure with other outdoor women (adults only).  We’ll take a break along the way for lunch. Registration required for this event. Learn more and register here

We have a variety of other activities for all ages happening this Spring. Check our calendar for a full list of Summer events.

Columbia Slough Watershed Council 7040 NE 47th Ave Portland, Oregon 97218 503-281-1132