We Need You to Fight for Forest Park!

Key Talking Points

It’s absolutely crucial that you include arguments based on criteria in the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP). The NRMP is a legal document that establishes how Forest Park is to be managed. The 2 main goals of the NRMP are to 1) grow an ancient forest and 2) protect/enhance the forest for education/recreational opportunities. PGE’s proposal directly contradicts both of these goals. 

The 3 most important arguments to include in your comments are:

1. PGE’s proposal directly contradicts the top priority in the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan, which is to manage the forest towards old growth.
2. PGE’s Alternatives Analysis shows there are possible locations outside Forest Park.
3. Approval of this project could set a precedent for future phases of PGE’s project and other development in Forest Park

Other Talking Points:

• PGE’s mitigation plan is inadequate
  • The NRMP requires that mitigation take place in the same unit that is impacted. PGE’s plan to fund habitat enhancements in other units of the park is inadequate
  • The ecosystem function lost through significant disruption of two streams and permanent filling of two wetlands is not adequately replaced with monoculture of oaks, which take 100+ years to reach maturity.
• PGE’s lack of transparency calls to question their genuine interest in community resiliency (a stated goal of the project)
  • PGE failed to release the Toth Report, which showed that viable alternatives existed, until Oct 2024.
  • PGE has not been transparent about their plans for future expansion
  • PGE did not meaningfully amend their proposal to reflect community feedback

Sample Comment

To: Morgan.Steele@portlandoregon.gov

Subject: Re:LU 24-041109 CU EN GW

Dear Morgan Steele,

When I first moved to Portland, the first thing that struck me was how intertwined the city and nature are. I could be downtown, surrounded by skyscrapers, and then drive 5 minutes and be in old-growth forest. Forest Park is an incredibly special place, for so many reasons. It provides a sanctuary for wildlife. Its trees clean our air, filter our water, and cool our city. And it is also a place where I can breathe deeply and remember that I’m a part of the natural world, too. Having a place like Forest Park so close to our city is a rare privilege, and we need to recognize how valuable of a resource it is, both ecologically and spiritually. 

PGE’s proposal to develop inside Forest Park is concerning for so many reasons. It blatantly fails to meet most of the criteria for development laid out by the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan. 

• First and foremost, the proposal directly contradicts the top priority of the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan, which is to support the forest in becoming an old-growth forest. Cutting down mature trees and replacing them with saplings certainly does not align with this goal. 
• Second, PGE’s own analysis has shown that there are several alternative locations outside Forest Park to locate the project. It is possible to update their power grid without impacting Forest Park at all. 
• Third, approving this project could set the precedent for future development in Forest Park that would further contradict the management plan. PGE has already stated that this is a multiphase project, with more phases of development to come. Laying down power lines in Forest Park opens the door to more expansion, and with that– more cut trees, stream degradation, and habitat loss.

Forest Park is a precious resource, and we need to treat it as such. PGE’s proposal does not align with Forest Park’s management plan, and would result in significant ecological and cultural loss. I’m asking that you reject PGE’s proposal for the sake of the trees, the wildlife, the people, the city, and our future generations. 

Sincerely,

Your Name