Metro protects nearly 100 acres on Clatsop Buttes
Metro news release:
Dec. 3, 2007
Contact: Heather Nelson Kent, 503-797-1739
Another one of the largest remaining intact habitats within the city limits of Portland is protected through Metro's Natural Areas Program. The 53-acre natural area Metro recently purchased includes steep, densely forested hillsides and tributaries of Johnson Creek. The property is located south of Foster Road and west of Barbara Welch Road on the north side of Clatsop Buttes. Together with a 49-acre parcel Metro acquired in July 2007, it brings the total number of acres protected by Metro in this area to more than 100. It also makes the Clatsop Buttes natural area one of only a dozen protected natural areas of this size within the city limits of Portland.
"One acquisition touched off another in this area," said Metro Council President David Bragdon. "We are fortunate to have another landowner who was willing to work with us to preserve such a special feature of the region's landscape."
Slated for as many as 108 lots, the land will continue providing important wildlife habitat and protecting water quality in Johnson Creek. The property is home to a mix of native plants including cedar, maple, Douglas fir, red alder, Oregon grape, huckleberry, elderberry and sword fern. The area supports a variety of wildlife including deer, fox, coyote, flicker, pileated woodpecker and other local and migratory birds.
"Preserving any natural area of this size is a success for Metro's land acquisition program but protecting more than 100 contiguous acres within the city of Portland is a huge accomplishment," said Metro Councilor Rod Park who represents the district where the land was purchased. "This acquisition adds enormously to the value of previous investments in the Johnson Creek watershed."
The city of Portland identified the area around Clatsop Buttes as very importnat for protection in its 2006 Natural Areas Acquisition Strategy. Portland's parks bureau will manage the new site along with other properties that have been preserved in the area.
"This acquisition not only helps protect habitat and water quality in Johnson Creek, " said City of Portland Commissioner Dan Saltzman, "it also provides an excellent opportunity for increasing people's access to nature. That is a very important part of what voters wanted when they approved Metro's bond measure. " The city will manage the area it for its natural resource benefits and importance to wildlife and protecting it from invasive species. Adding hiking trails could one day allow the public access into the natural area.
Johnson Creek flows 26 miles from its headwaters near the Sandy River to its confluence with the Willamette River, passing through four cities - Portland, Milwaukie, Gresham and Happy Valley - along the way. Johnson Creek is the most densely urbanized creek in the Metro region and is one of 27 target areas identified in Metro's 2006 Natural Areas bond measure for habitat and water quality protection. The program funds land acquisition and capital improvements that protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, enhance trails and wildlife corridors, and provide greater connections to nature in urban areas throughout the greater Portland region. More information can be found online at www.metro-region.org/naturalareas.
Metro, the regional government that serves 1.4 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.