Skip to page content
  • Go to the main menu
  • Go to the search form
Metro

Main menu

▼
Open menu
▲
Close menu
  • Parks + Venues
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Parks
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Oxbow Regional Park
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Camping at Oxbow
      • Blue Lake Regional Park
      • Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
      • Graham Oaks Nature Park
      • Cooper Mountain Nature Park
      • Mount Talbert Nature Park
      • Scouters Mountain Nature Park
      • Chehalem Ridge Nature Park
      • Canemah Bluff Nature Park
      • Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park
      • Orenco Woods Nature Park
      • Killin Wetlands Nature Park
      • Howell Territorial Park
      • Mason Hill Park
      • Broughton Beach
      • Glendoveer Golf Course and Nature Trail
      • Farmington Paddle Launch
      • Boat ramps
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Chinook Landing Marine Park
        • M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp
        • Sauvie Island Boat Ramp
      • Disc golf course

      • Parks and nature activities
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Guided nature activities
        • Nature learning resources
      • Picnics and special use
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Picnics at Blue Lake
        • Picnics at Oxbow
        • Picnics at Graham Oaks
        • Picnics at Mount Talbert
        • Picnics at Scouters Mountain
        • Picnics at Chehalem Ridge
        • Caterers and amusement providers
        • Special use permits
      • Water safety
      • Pets policy
      • Hunting policy
    • Venues
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Oregon Convention Center
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Oregon Convention Center hotel
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Jobs and job training
          • Economic impact
          • Global reach
          • Hotel progress
      • Oregon Zoo
      • Portland Expo Center
      • Portland'5 Centers for the Arts
    • Historic cemeteries
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Services and fees
      • Visit the cemeteries
      • History of Metro's cemeteries

      • Brainard Cemetery
      • Columbia Pioneer Cemetery
      • Douglass Cemetery
      • Escobar Cemetery
      • Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery
      • Gresham Pioneer Cemetery
      • Jones Cemetery
      • Lone Fir Cemetery
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Chestnut Grove Memorial Garden
      • Mountain View Corbett Cemetery
      • Mountain View Stark Cemetery
      • Multnomah Park Cemetery
      • Pleasant Home Cemetery
      • Powell Grove Cemetery
      • White Birch Cemetery
    • man and boy walking on trail at Oxbow Regional Park
      Buy a parks pass
  • Tools + Services
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Tools for Living
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Garbage and recycling
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Find a recycler
        • Find your hauler
        • Metro Central transfer station
        • Metro South transfer station
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Metro South trash cam
        • Code of conduct
        • Prep your load and pay less
        • Recycling at home
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Home recycling collection
          • Glass
          • Metal
          • Plastic
          • Paper
          • Christmas tree recycling
        • Reducing waste at home
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Waste-wise holidays
          • Stop junk mail
          • Back to school tips
        • Neighborhood collection events
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • 2025 neighborhood collection event schedule
        • Report dumped garbage
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • RID Patrol work transition program
        • Ask an expert
      • Healthy home
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Household hazardous waste disposal
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Adhesives and glues
          • Aerosols
          • Air fresheners and deodorizers
          • Ammunition
          • Antifreeze
          • Arts and crafts supplies
          • Asbestos
          • Batteries, auto
          • Batteries, household
          • Bleach
          • Brake fluid
          • Carpet and rug cleaners
          • Chemistry sets
          • Cleaners, all-purpose
          • Degreasers
          • Detergents, dishwashing or laundry
          • Disinfectants
          • Drain cleaners
          • Fertilizers, chemical
          • Fingernail polish and remover
          • Flea control
          • Gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel
          • Hair products
          • Hand cleaners, mechanic or painter
          • Lighter fluid, charcoal
          • Lubricating oils
          • Medicines, unwanted or expired drugs
          • Mercury- and PCB-containing items
          • Moss killer
          • Mothballs and moth crystals
          • Motor oil and oil filters
          • Oven cleaners
          • Paint and clear wood finish
          • Paint strippers or paint scrapings
          • Paint thinners
          • Paint, water-based
          • Pesticides
          • Photographic chemicals
          • Polishes and cleaners, metal
          • Polishes and waxes, wood furniture and floors
          • Polishes, cleaners or waxes, automotive
          • Polishes, shoe
          • Pool or spa chemicals
          • Septic tank cleaners
          • Smoke detectors, ionizing type
          • Soot remover or creosote destroyer
          • Stain and spot removers
          • Transmission fluid
          • Windshield wiper solution
          • Wood preservatives
        • Green cleaning
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Air fresheners and deodorizers
          • All-purpose cleaners
          • Aluminum cleaners
          • Antiseptic soap spray
          • Bathroom soft scrub
          • Bronze, brass and copper cleaner
          • Chrome cleaner
          • Coffee maker cleaner
          • Countertop and appliance top cleaner
          • Dish soap
          • Disinfectants
          • Drain cleaner
          • Floor cleaners
          • Glass and window cleaners
          • Hand cleaner
          • Laundry bleach
          • Laundry cleaners
          • Leather cleaner
          • Oven cleaners
          • Scouring powder and paste
          • Silver cleaners
          • Spot and stain removers
          • Toilet bowl cleaners
          • Tub and tile cleaner
          • Urine stain removers
          • Wall cleaner
          • Wallpaper cleaner
          • Wet spotter
          • Windshield wiper fluid
          • Wood cleaners
          • Wood furniture polish
        • Home pest control
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Ants
          • Asthma, pests and pesticides
          • Cockroaches
          • Fleas and ticks
          • Fruit flies
          • Mice and rats
          • Moths
          • Spiders
        • Buying safer cleaners
        • Safe personal care products
        • Storm and fire cleanup
        • Online learning
        • MetroPaint
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Retail locations
          • Colors and product information
          • MetroPaint Outlet
          • MetroPaint virtual painter
            +
            Open this submenu
            −
            Close this submenu
            • Living room
            • Bedroom
            • Dining room
            • Entrance
            • Upload a photo
      • Yard and garden
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Learning gardens
        • Garden basics
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Soil amendments
          • Mulch matters
          • Soil prep for your edible garden
          • Watering tips
        • Garden problems
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Azalea lace bug
          • Aphids
          • Cabbage butterflies and leaf miners
          • Mosquitoes
          • Moles, voles and gophers
          • Slugs and snails
          • Yellowjackets
          • Wildlife issues
          • Lawn moss
          • Black spot, rust and rot
          • Powdery mildew
          • Weeds
          • Proper disposal of pesticides
        • Lawn
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Mow
          • Grow
          • Water
          • Weed
          • Lawn alternatives
        • Plants
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Native plants
          • Plant a shrub
          • Plant a tree
          • Fall and winter gardening
          • Growing roses
          • Getting started with edibles
        • Backyard habitat
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Beneficial bugs
          • Pollinators
          • Protecting songbirds
          • Feeding and caring for wildlife
        • Composting
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Composting methods
          • Tips for composting success
          • Compost trouble-shooting
          • Build a compost bin
          • Worm composting
          • Worm bin trouble-shooting
        • Grow Smart, Grow Safe
        • Garden pledge
    • Tools for working
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Asbestos information for transfer station customers
      • Guide to construction salvage and recycling
      • Guide to managing paint waste
      • Guide to recycling and waste reduction at work
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Guide to choosing single-use service ware
      • Business hazardous waste disposal program
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Business hazardous waste disposal signup
      • Reducing food waste
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Preventing food waste
        • Donating food
        • Composting food scraps
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Composting options outside the Portland metropolitan area
        • Food scraps separation policy
        • Local success stories
      • Regional contractor's business license
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Contractor's business license application and renewal
        • Contractor's business license lookup
      • Tools for haulers and facility operators
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Accounts for haulers
        • Construction waste
        • Special waste disposal
        • Regional solid waste facilities
        • Forms for solid waste facilities
        • Rules, procedures and guidance
        • Solid Waste Information System
        • Solid waste authorizations
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Solid waste facility complaint form
          • License for Grimm’s Fuel Company
            +
            Open this submenu
            −
            Close this submenu
            • Updates
        • Solid waste enforcement
        • Public notices for garbage and recycling facilities
      • Travel options for employers
    • Tools for Partners
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Grants and resources
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • 2040 planning and development grants
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Past grant cycles
        • Brownfields assessment grants
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Background
        • Civic engagement grants
        • Climate pollution reduction planning grants
        • Community enhancement grants
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Metro Central Enhancement Grants
        • Community Placemaking grants
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • How to apply
          • 2023 grantees
          • 2022 grantees
          • 2021 grantees
          • 2020 grantees
          • 2019 grantees
          • 2018 grantees
          • 2017 grantees
        • Cooling corridors study
        • Housing and homelessness resources
        • Investment and Innovation grants
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Past grant cycles
        • Landlord incentives
        • Large-scale community visions
        • Local share
        • Nature grants
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Capital grants
          • Community choice grants
          • Community stewardship and restoration grants
          • Nature education grants
        • Parks and Nature community partnerships
        • Partnerships and social innovation program
        • Regional Refresh Fund
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Frequently asked questions
        • Regional Travel Options program
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Safe Routes to School program
            +
            Open this submenu
            −
            Close this submenu
            • Safe Routes to School safety campaign toolkit
        • Transit-Oriented Development Program
      • Guides and tools
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Community Investment Toolkit
        • Designing livable streets and trails
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Conversations about performance-based design
        • Economic Value Atlas
        • Greater Portland Economic Recovery Plan
        • Guide to equitable housing
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Build Small Coalition
        • Jurisdictional transfer assessment
        • Local transportation system plans
        • Mobility Corridors Atlas
        • Planning parks with communities of color
        • Regional Traffic and Transportation Class
        • Safe Routes to School Framework
        • Site readiness toolkit
        • Social Vulnerability Explorer
      • Education resources
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Resource conservation and recycling education
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Elementary school classroom presentations
          • Middle and high school classroom presentations
          • Distance learning
            +
            Open this submenu
            −
            Close this submenu
            • Elementary online learning
            • Middle and high school online learning
            • Community and family online education
          • Publication library
          • Community workshops and events
          • Meet the educators
      • Data Resource Center
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • RLIS Live
        • MetroMap
        • Aerial photography
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Regional Aerial Photo Consortium
        • Unmanned Aircraft System program
        • Annexation and boundary changes
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Annexation search tool
    • Small thumbnail of a Metro map
      Regional Land Information System
  • What's Happening
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Metro News
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • All Metro news
      • Housing news
      • Land and transportation news
      • Parks and nature news
      • Home and garbage news
      • Venues news
      • Resources for journalists
    • Public projects
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Willamette Cove cleanup and nature park
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
        • Site history
        • Park planning
        • The cleanup
      • Future of Supportive Housing Services
      • Tualatin Valley Highway transit project
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
        • Community engagement
        • Equitable development
        • Steering committee
      • 2024 growth management decision
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
        • Expansion proposal
        • Roundtable
        • Youth cohort
      • Regional housing coordination strategy
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
      • Expo Future project
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Phase two
        • Development information
        • Project background
        • Site history
      • Blue Lake Regional Park improvements
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
        • Project updates
        • Timeline
      • Affordable housing bond program
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Progress
        • Site acquisition
        • Background
        • Racial equity
        • Oversight
        • Common questions
      • Supportive housing services
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Progress
        • Racial equity
        • Regional coordination
        • Funding
        • Oversight
        • Stories
        • Common questions
      • Supportive housing services tax
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Tax preparer resources
        • Tax data and analysis
        • Codes and rules
      • 2028-30 Regional flexible funding allocation
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
        • Funding priorities
        • New project bond
        • Step 2
      • 82nd Avenue transit project
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
        • Development strategy
        • Steering committee
      • Community connector transit study
      • Regional Transportation Demand Management strategy
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Regional goals
        • Timeline
      • Honoring untold stories at Lone Fir Cemetery
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Community engagement
        • Timeline
        • Patient recognition
      • Parks and nature investments
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • About
        • History
        • Funding
        • Vision
        • Equity
        • Oversight
        • Leadership
      • Regional system facilities plan
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Background
        • Engagement
        • Values and outcomes
        • Gap analysis
        • Scenario development
        • Draft plan
      • Bulky Waste collection service improvements
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Bulky waste policy
        • Collection study
      • Metro's commitment to Black lives
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Policing
    • Calendar
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • calendar pictogram
        View meetings and events
    • Subscribe
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • newspaper pictogram
        Get news by email
  • About Metro
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Regional leadership
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • What is Metro?
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Cities and counties in the region
      • Metro Council
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Council President Lynn Peterson
        • Councilor Ashton Simpson
        • Councilor Christine Lewis
        • Councilor Gerritt Rosenthal
        • Councilor Juan Carlos González
        • Councilor Mary Nolan
        • Councilor Duncan Hwang

        • How to give testimony
        • Find your councilor
      • Metro Auditor
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • About the Metro Auditor
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Mission and authority
          • Process
          • Auditing standards
          • Audit Committee
        • Audits
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Audit recommendations
        • Accountability Hotline
      • Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Commissioners
        • Materials archive
      • Metro advisory committees
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Committee on Disability Inclusion
        • Committee on Racial Equity
        • Future Vision Commission
        • Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • How to give testimony
          • Meeting materials archive
        • Metro Policy Advisory Committee
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • How to give testimony
          • Meeting materials archive
        • Metro Technical Advisory Committee
        • Public Engagement Review Committee
        • Regional Waste Advisory Committee
        • Smith and Bybee Wetlands Advisory Committee
        • Transit-Oriented Development Steering Committee
        • Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • TPAC materials archive
          • TransPort
      • Diversity, equity and inclusion
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Know your rights
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Complaint procedures
        • Accessibility at Metro
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • ADA public notice
          • Request an accommodation
          • Accessibility projects
          • Website accessibility
          • ADA grievance procedure
            +
            Open this submenu
            −
            Close this submenu
            • File an ADA complaint
        • Language hub
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Arabic
          • Cambodian
          • Chinese
          • Hindi
          • Hmong
          • Japanese
          • Korean
          • Laotian
          • Nepali
          • Persian
          • Romanian
          • Russian
          • Somali
          • Spanish
          • Tagalog
          • Telugu
          • Thai
          • Ukrainian
          • Vietnamese
        • Public engagement
        • Equity strategy
        • Equity Dashboard
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Workforce demographics
          • Job classifications
          • Employment status
          • Payscale
          • Recruitment
          • Retention
        • Construction Career Pathways
      • Public records
    • How Metro works
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Organizational structure
      • Finances and funding
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Financial reports
        • Metro budget
        • Property tax information
        • Income tax information
        • Investment Advisory Board
      • Metro Code
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Metro administrative rules
      • Green Metro
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Green Metro featured projects
      • Contract opportunities
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • Current requests for bids and proposals
        • Doing business with Metro
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Large construction contracts
        • Equity in contracting
      • Jobs
        +
        Open this submenu
        −
        Close this submenu
        • How to apply
        • Benefits
        • Pay
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Classification descriptions
        • Labor unions
        • Diversity and equity
        • Training and development
        • Veterans' preference
        • First Opportunity program
        • Internships
          +
          Open this submenu
          −
          Close this submenu
          • Applying for internships
          • Types of internships
          • Garbage and recycling internships
        • Variable hour jobs
    • Library
      +
      Open this submenu
      −
      Close this submenu
      • Land use shelf
      • Transportation shelf
      • Nature shelf
      • Garbage and recycling shelf
      • Regional research shelf
      • Archives and special collections
    • photo of boats at Blue Lake
      Metro by the numbers

Search form

Metro News

Subscribe
 
  • Hmoob

Metro Council to consider additional cleanup options at Willamette Cove

View of the Willamette River from the Willamette Cove site, surrounded by grass and plants, on a cloudy day
Metro logo

Metro Council to consider additional cleanup options at Willamette Cove

By Kelsey Wallace
April 28, 2021 11:54 a.m.

Bylined articles are written by Metro staff and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Metro or the Metro Council. Learn more

The Metro Council began to unpack the complicated cleanup effort at Willamette Cove Tuesday, as councilors were briefed on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s selected plan for cleanup of the upland portion of the Metro-owned site in North Portland.

At a work session on April 27, the council heard from staff members about cleanup plans for the portion of the Willamette Cove property that sits above the Willamette River banks. The discussion revolved around the DEQ’s record of decision on the site cleanup, issued March 31, and the option for a contingency remedy that would allow Metro to move more of the contaminated soil off-site.

The DEQ-mandated plans for cleanup require all soil that’s contaminated above “hot-spot levels” for human health at the site be removed, as well as all soil with metals higher than hot-spot levels for plants and animals. Under that plan, the remaining contaminated soil above screening levels for human health would then be consolidated on-site in a large containment area with an engineered cap. 

The optional contingency remedy requires the same level of cleanup at the site, but under that plan some or all of the contaminated soil would be removed and transported to another location.

The site was an industrial area for most of the 20th Century, with activities ranging from barrel building to ship repair. In 80 years of industrial use, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and other toxic material leached into the soil. Metro bought the property in 1996, and has been managing it since that time while waiting for the state to issue its recommendations for site cleanup. 

At Tuesday’s work session, Metro staff reported on the history of Willamette Cove, the current contamination at the site and DEQ’s selected cleanup plan, including the option for additional contaminated soil removal. After a question and answer period, Metro Council directed staff to enlist third-party expertise to help evaluate the contingency remedy, to more fully understand what it would entail. 

“The contingency remedy needs to be looked at more thoroughly,” said Metro Council President Lynn Peterson. “Getting this right is worth the time invested.”

All councilors present at the meeting shared their thoughts on cleanup at the site, emphasizing the importance of Willamette Cove to the surrounding community, as well as Metro’s commitment to public health and safety. 

“The Willamette Cove site really is a gem, and we want to do everything we can to make sure the community has the opportunity to reclaim this area,” said Councilor Juan Carlos González. “The upland cleanup we’re talking about now is just one of many things that needs to happen at the site to achieve the outcome we want to see.” 

Metro staff members are working on a plan to incorporate tribal government interests and concerns at the site. Later this year, staff members will present Metro Council with a community engagement plan to identify priorities for passive recreational opportunities and trails in line with the protection and restoration of natural resources at Willamette Cove.

Councilor Mary Nolan, whose district includes Willamette Cove, emphasized the importance of careful decision-making now, to ensure the site is safe and accessible for future visitors.

“For this generation and seven generations hence,” Nolan said. 

Investigation and cleanup of Willamette Cove are overseen by two agencies: the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency. DEQ has oversight of the upland portion, from the top of the riverbank northward to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The Environmental Protection Agency has oversight of the in-water portion, from the top of the riverbank and into the river. Metro and the Port of Portland have worked with DEQ under a voluntary cleanup agreement for the past 20 years. 

DEQ will oversee the cleanup in coordination with Metro and the Port of Portland. Next steps in preparation for cleanup action include a final, large-scale soil sample collection effort to confirm the depth of excavation necessary to achieve cleanup goals, tentatively scheduled to be completed by summer 2022. DEQ will also use this data to develop final plans for soil containment and off-site disposal. 

Timing for planning and completing the cleanup of the upland portion of Willamette Cove is also tied to the Portland Harbor in-water cleanup work, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Metro purchased the Willamette Cove property in the St. Johns and Cathedral Park neighborhoods in 1996 using money from the 1995 natural areas bond measure. Plans to extend the North Portland Greenway Trail were stalled when high levels of contamination were found throughout the site in the late 1990s. The focus, instead, shifted to cleanup efforts.   

Metro has worked with partners over the years on several cleanup efforts, including in summer 2004, when a cap was constructed in a portion of Willamette Cove in response to contamination from a neighboring site. In 2008, soils with high metal concentrations were removed from the central portion of the site.  

The Oregon Health Authority recommended the site be closed for public health and safety since 2013 because of contamination and physical hazards.  

In 2015 and 2016, soils with the highest levels of contamination were removed from the upland areas and replanted with native vegetation. But contamination still remains throughout the site and in the river that pose risks to human health and the environment. 

Related stories 
DEQ issues cleanup plan for Willamette Cove
Aerial view of Willamette Cove

DEQ issues cleanup plan for Willamette Cove

Read more

Metro Council passes resolution to make Willamette Cove eligible for 2019 bond funding
Aerial view of Willamette Cove

Metro Council passes resolution to make Willamette Cove eligible for 2019 bond funding

Read more

Metro Council to consider Willamette Cove eligibility for 2019 bond funding
Aerial view of Willamette Cove

Metro Council to consider Willamette Cove eligibility for 2019 bond funding

Read more

 

Footer Menu

▼
Open menu
▲
Close menu
  • Services of Metro
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Oregon Zoo
    • Oregon Convention Center
    • Portland Expo Center
    • Portland'5 Centers for the Arts
    • Data Resource Center
    • Garbage and recycling facilities
    • Metro cemeteries
  • Opportunities
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Jobs
    • Contracts
    • Grants
    • Franchising and licensing
  • Access
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Know your rights
    • Accessibility at Metro
    • Language assistance
    • Feedback and questions
    • Metro Accountability Hotline
    • Privacy policy
    • Request public records
    • Directions
  • Leadership
    +
    Open this submenu
    −
    Close this submenu
    • Metro Council
    • Metro Auditor
    • MERC
    • Committees
    • Who's my councilor?

Metro logo

Whether your roots in the region run generations deep or you moved to Oregon last week, you have your own reasons for loving this place – and Metro wants to keep it that way. Help shape the future of the greater Portland region and discover tools, services and places that make life better today.

Contact Metro

  • 503-797-1700
  • 503-797-1804 TDD
  • Send a message

Connect with Metro

Subscribe to Metro News

More subscription options

Find Metro on

Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn Instagram