Metro announces natural area purchase and donation on Chehalem Ridgetop
News release: Feb. 14, 2008
Contact: Karen Kane, 503-797-1942
Territorial views come into public ownership
Luisa Ponzi and Eric Hamacher, an Oregon winemaking family, have agreed to the sale and donation of a tract of rare oak and madrone forest on the western slope of the Chehalem Ridge to support Metro's Natural Areas Program. The tract, totaling 40 acres, includes a donation of four acres. The property is located within the Chehalem Ridgetop to Refuge target area, one of 27 areas that voters directed the Metro Council to preserve and protect through the 2006 natural areas, parks and streams bond measure. The donation of the four acres is valued at $236,700.
"This property meets the Metro Council's goal of preserving large, undeveloped tracts of forestland along the Chehalem Ridge to protect water quality, wildlife habitat and, ultimately, to provide the public with new recreation opportunities." said Metro Council President David Bragdon. "This donation is an important gift to the community and allows the Metro Council to stretch the voter's investment."
Oak and madrone forest habitat is rare in the Northern Willamette Valley and is found on only a small percentage of properties within the region's system of protected natural areas. The large, mature Oregon white oak and madrone trees on the site provide valuable habitat to a number of important associated wildlife species, such as Western gray squirrels, white-breasted nuthatches and acorn woodpeckers.
"Protecting the forested hillsides on the western flank of the Chehalem Ridge will help to protect water quality in Wapato Creek, which flows into the Tualatin River," said Metro Councilor Kathryn Harrington. "The views down the valley and overlooking the planned Wapato Lake Wildlife Refuge are also excellent. This is a great start toward creating a new public asset in our community."
Metro will manage the property, which is located on Southwest Burgarsky Road, north of Dixon Mill Road near Gaston. The site's natural resources are currently in good condition with approximately five acres in pasture, a small home site and the remainder of the area primarily a closed-canopy, diverse forest supporting a mix of large Douglas fir, Oregon white oak and madrone trees.
The Metro Council's 2006 Natural Areas 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 Portland metropolitan area. For more information, visit 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.
Note to reporters: Landowner contact information available upon request.
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Acquiring natural areas
Find out more about the 27 target areas where Metro is acquiring natural areas and trails to safeguard water quality, protect fish and wildlife habitat, and ensure access to nature for future generations.