ORDINANCE No. 180680

Authorize application to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grant Program for grant funding of restoration work at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge (Ordinance)  

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1.  The Council finds:

1.  Water quality and watershed management is a key concern for the Portland Region in general and the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) in particular.

2.  To improve water quality, habitat, and restore native plant, aquatic and terrestrial species, the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Watershed Revegetation Program and Endangered Species Act Program work collectively to restore and enhance habitat in Portland’s watersheds.

3.  The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, a vital a key community and ecological asset, needs restoration and enhancement work to properly function. A three phase project has been identified to improve water quality and habitat quality and quantity thereby benefiting fish and wildlife. Phase 1 of this three phased project involves restoring five acres of wetland habitat at the north end of the Refuge.

4.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) North American Wetland Conservation Act Small Grant Program offers grant funding for restoration projects. BES has prepared a grant application to submit to USFWS requesting funding for restoration work at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in the Lower Willamette River Watershed.

5.  Maximum allowable grant is $75,000 for two years. USFWS requires a 1:1 match of grant funds which is achievable by leveraging a pending grant and in-kind staff time.

NOW, THEREFORE, the council directs:

 a.  The Commissioner of Public Utilities and Auditor are authorized to submit a grant application to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grant Program for grant funding of restoration work at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

Passed by the Council, December 20, 2006

   Gary Blackmer

Sam Adams    Auditor of the City of Portland

Commissioner of Public Utilities  By /S/ Andrew N. Bryans

Margaret Nover        Deputy

November 30, 2006

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 1669 1711-2006

ACTION TAKEN:

DECEMBER 13, 2006 PASSED TO SECOND READING DECEMBER 20, 2006 9:30 AM

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 180680