Tuesday, January 4 @ 7:00pm
Concordia University
Luther Hall room 121
Download a map of the Concordia University Campus.
The general meeting this January 4 will be held in Luther Hall room 121 at Concordia University. The topic will be Columbia Biogas (CBG). There will be a presentation by John McKinney, president of the company.
The Metro Council will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at Metro Regional Center (600 NE Grand Ave., Portland) to consider a solid waste facility franchise (permit) application submitted by Columbia Biogas. If approved by Metro and issued permits by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the company will construct and operate a food waste anaerobic digestion and energy recovery facility in Cully neighborhood at 6849 NE Columbia Boulevard.
For more details and to read the proposed Metro legislation, staff report and Chief Operating Officer’s recommendation, visit Metro’s website (www.oregonmetro.gov/biogas). If you have a question about Metro’s staff report, call Bill Metzler at 503-797-1666. Sign up to get email news updates about the Columbia Biogas franchise and other important issues at www.oregonmetro.gov/connect.
In addition to requiring actions to prevent off-site nuisances such as litter, dust, odors and noise, Metro is calling for collection of a community enhancement fee on waste brought into the facility. Additionally, Columbia Biogas will be required to develop and maintain a Good Neighbor Plan to minimize the impact of the facility on local residents. As part of the plan, the company will work towards a written agreement describing how the company will hear and respond to neighborhood concerns.
The type of facility proposed by Columbia Biogas meets several goals established by the Metro Council. It could help our region develop a food waste collection and processing infrastructure, a key strategy that will lead us toward a more sustainable future. The facility will help the region dispose of less food waste in landfills and sewers by converting organic matter to energy and agricultural supplements.
But before taking any action, the Metro Council wants to hear from you. Do you agree with the provisions and conditions in Metro’s proposed franchise with Columbia Biogas? Do they address your interests and concerns? If not, what is missing? You can provide public testimony to the Council in person, by mail or by e-mail. The hearing will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at Metro Regional Center (600 NE Grand Ave., Portland).
– To testify in person at the Council meeting, fill out a testimony card, submit it to the Council Clerk and be present when your name is called to testify. If you require any special accommodation in order to testify before the council, please make your request to the council clerk at least 24 hours before the meeting (503-797-1542).
– Written testimony is welcome too. To testify in writing, insert the agenda item and topic at the beginning of your letter or email message (Ordinance No. 10-1248, Columbia Biogas franchise). Fax your testimony to 503-797-1793. Mail your testimony to the Metro Council, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232. Send email to metrocouncil@oregonmetro.gov.
The Metro Council and I want to hear from you about this important decision. Your input and insights will be helpful in making policy decisions for the region. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rex Burkholder
Metro Councilor, District 5
The purpose of this notice is to invite you to provide comments related to the specific conditions within the proposed air and solid waste permits. You may make oral comments at the public hearing. You may also comment in writing.
Hearing details:
November 18, 2010 Information session begins at 6:30 p.m. with formal hearing to follow.
Written Comments Due:
Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on Monday November 29, 2010.
Metro
Council Chambers
600 NE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
Columbia Slough Regatta, Sunday, July 25
The Columbia Slough Small Craft Regatta, the largest one-day paddle in Oregon, returns for its 16th anniversary on Sunday, July 25th from 9 am to 1 pm. This annual celebration of the Columbia Slough highlights recreation opportunities on this hidden gem of local waterways, and draws more than 400 participants for a morning of free paddling and fun.
This year’s Regatta launches from the Multnomah County Drainage District at 1880 NE Elrod Dr in Portland. Paddlers can travel east through a shaded wetland that is home to bald eagles, deer, river otters, and fish. Before and after paddling, participants can visit with local environmental and water-based organizations and enjoy hands-on nature activities. Free t-shirts and refreshments will be provided while supplies last.
“The Drainage District is pleased to host Regatta and is proud to be involved as both a founder and sponsor for this year’s sixteenth annual event on the Slough,” said Bob Eaton, executive director of the Multnomah County Drainage Districts. “It is great to have people’s excitement, and the vivid colors of the kayaks and canoes, surrounding us.”
Complimentary 45-minute canoe and kayak rentals are available through the Council, but advanced registration is required at www.columbiaslough.org or 503-956-8558. Life jackets and paddles are included with these rentals, which tend to fill up weeks in advance. Participants with their own human-powered watercraft and safety equipment are welcome to come without reservations, and crews will be available to help unload and transport boats. A voluntary donation of $7.00 per person is requested to support Columbia Slough Watershed Council programs and events.
“The Regatta is a celebration I look forward to each year,” said Susan Barthel, a long-time supporter of the Columbia Slough. “It’s amazing how much free fun we have in the city!”
The Columbia Slough Watershed Council is a diverse group of neighbors, property owners, businesses, environmental advocates, recreation activists, and government agencies representatives. Its mission is: “to foster action to protect, enhance, restore and revitalize the Columbia Slough and its watershed.”
Melissa Sandoz
Outreach Director
Columbia Slough Watershed Council
7040 NE 47th Ave
Portland, OR 97218
503.281.1132
www.columbiaslough.org
To foster action to protect, enhance, restore and revitalize the Slough and its watershed
Major Runway Improvements Resume May 17 at PDX
Portland International Airport neighbors should expect some changes as the second year of a three year runway rehabilitation program resumes May 17.
The major improvements to the airport’s two primary runways will rehabilitate both the north and south runways as well as extending the north runway. The first year of the project, which occurred in 2009, rehabilitated the north runway. The second year of the project will continue with the extension of the north runway which is needed to accommodate larger aircraft that require the extra length for takeoff at PDX when the longer south runway closes for rehabilitation in 2011.
Construction activities are scheduled to conclude around mid-October 2010 and will resume in the spring of 2011 for the final year of the program. Because of varying runway closures during construction, more propeller aircraft are expected to use the airport’s north-south (crosswind) runway, meaning airport neighbors may notice a temporary change in flight patterns and aircraft noise.
Related Link:
North Runway Extension
Contacts:
Brooke Berglund, Community Affairs, 503.415.6532
Noise Management Hotline, 503.460.4100/800.938.6647
Vancouver, WA
Thursday, June 4, 2009 / 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Harney Elementary School Cafeteria
3212 E. Evergreen Blvd
Vancouver, WA
Portland, OR
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 / 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Portland Fire & Rescue Training Center
4800 NE 122nd Ave
Portland, OR
Airport Futures is a collaborative effort between the City of Portland, the Port of Portland and the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan community to create a long-range development plan for Portland International Airport (PDX). This process is being guided by a diverse 30-member, regional Planning Advisory Group, and input from key stakeholders. Your organization or neighborhood has been identified as one of these stakeholder groups.
Three major draft products from this planning effort will be released in late May 2009 and available for review and comment at the upcoming Airport Futures public meetings.
1. The Airport Master Plan will outline the preferred development alternative for PDX, including future terminal, airfield, runway, roadway and parking facility needs;
2. The Long-range Land Use Plan will incorporate land use, transportation and natural resource systems in the area surrounding the airport and address community concerns regarding growth at PDX; and
3. The Ongoing Public Involvement Strategy will provide a mechanism for regular input on planning efforts and development at PDX after Airport Futures has concluded.
Please join us at these public meetings to learn more about Airport Futures, ask questions and provide your comments on these draft documents. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about PDX Noise Management, Deicing Enhancement System, and the North Runway Expansion.
Contact: For more information and accessibility information, please call the Port of Portland at (503) 460-4839 or (800) 547-8411, ext. 4839.
Related Links:
www.pdxairportfutures.com
www.portlandonline.com/planning/
www.portofportland.com
Sponsored by City of Portland and Port of Portland.
This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the Vancouver School District.
Residents may notice a change in aircraft flight activity as construction work will require a six-month closure of the north parallel runway effective May 1st through October 31st. During this closure, jet aircraft will use the south runway, and will follow noise abatement procedures that direct them over the Columbia River corridor, minimizing overflights of residential areas. Smaller aircraft including cargo feeders and commuter turboprops may be required to use the crosswind runway, which is oriented north/south.
During the closure, the runway will undergo major rehabilitation and preparations will be made to extend the runway in 2010. The extension is needed to accommodate larger aircraft that require the extra length for takeoff at PDX when the longer south runway closes for rehabilitation in 2011.
The following link will provide detailed information about the North Runway Extension Project:http://www.portofportland.com/Prj_PDX_NREX_Home.aspx
For further information please contact: Port of Portland, Noise Management Department Phone: 503.460.4100 / 800.938.6647
Web Site: http://www.portofportland.com/Noise_Mgmt_Home.aspx
Airport Futures is currently half way through its the planning process. Between now and June 2009, the project’s subcommittees will draft three major products:
You- the noble public – are encouraged to join the drafting process, either by attending the larger Planning Advisory Group meetings or joining one of the project’s subcommittees. Public review of the draft products will begin summer 2009.
Here is the latest update on this project from the Port.
Why is this important? Because this is a key conduit for shaping how the Port of Portland is going to develop. The Port is presently sitting on hundreds of undeveloped acres and, as indicated by the on-going issues surrounding rezoning Colwood National Golf Course, they would like to add even more that that mix.
NECN is represented on this project’s Planning Advisory Group by Patrick Metzger and Denny Stoecklin. However, they always welcome more support and input from local residents and businesses.
NE Neighbors for Clean Air provided us with some additional information related to Boeing’s application to discharge contaminants at their Portland Airport painting facility. Click the link below for the complete text (with minor edits for length/style). You can also check out previous stories posted on the CNA website related to this issue.
Boeing wants to emit 99 tons per year (tpy) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and between 10 tpy of any single hazardous air pollutant (as defined by the EPA) and 25 tpy aggregate. It’s important to note that if Boeing had asked for a permit to emit 100 or more tons per year of VOCs (or more) they would have been required to obtain a Title V permit from the EPA, which would have required additional monitoring.
