Bragdon initiative: Preserve our natural areas and protect our water quality
David is leading the effort to protect and preserve the region’s water and air quality and wildlife habitat. His $227.4 million bond measure to purchase 4,000 acres of natural areas won 58% of the vote in November 2007.
Ten years ago, the voters of our region made a historic decision: they agreed to invest in our future by acquiring many of the natural areas that our residents hold dear and preserving those areas for future generations. The initial promise was to acquire, from willing sellers, 6,000 acres of the best natural areas in the region.
More than 8,000 acres
Over the last decade, that promise has been more than fulfilled: from stunning butte summits and open grasslands to river canyons, streamside areas and wetlands, more than 8,000 acres of open spaces are now held in public trust by the Metro Council. These natural places, aggregating to a total area more than 30% larger than Portland's Forest Park, are a legacy that will serve residents of this region for generations.
But the region is growing, with more than a million people expected in the next two decades. The need to protect our natural environment and clean water will be more urgent than ever. Unless some of these fragile parcels are purchased and set aside in public ownership, this opportunity will be lost forever.
A regional effort
Building on the success of the 1995 bond measure, David led the initiative to refer a general obligation bond measure for willing seller acquisition of natural areas. David convened a Blue Ribbon Committee of 18 business leaders, public officials, and other community leaders was appointed in September 2005 to advise the Metro Council on the size and scope of the measure. After receiving input from hundreds of citizens and dozens of community groups on the Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendations, the Metro Council approved a $227.4 million bond measure package designed to preserve natural areas and protect rivers, streams and creeks at the regional, local and neighborhood level. On November 7, 2006, the region's voters overwhelmingly approved the package with a "yes" vote of 58.6%.
The 2006 bond measure
$168.4 million will be used by Metro to purchase between 3,500 and 4,500 acres of land in identified regional target areas to protect lands around local rivers and streams, preserve significant fish and wildlife habitat, enhance trails and wildlife corridors, and connect urban areas with nature;
$44 million will be distributed on a per capita basis to cities, counties and park districts within Metro's jurisdiction to fund identified local projects that are consistent with protecting natural areas and water quality, such as land acquisition for habitat protection or future parks.
$15 million will fund a new Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants Program whereby non-profit organizations, local governments, and other community-based organizations will apply for funding to support neighborhood projects. Projects could include the protection of local natural areas, development of community gardens, habitat restoration efforts, interpretive displays, and development of trails, among others.
The bond measure will operate entirely on a willing seller basis with local property owners.
All of the bond expenditures will be subject to an annual independent audit published in a local newspaper. An independent citizen advisory committee will provide oversight on all elements of the program.