2006-07 State of the River Talking Points for Mayor Potter

•  This is the third annual State of the River to the Council and the community on progress made toward achieving the River Renaissance Vision.

•  The State of the River report is compiled by the River Renaissance Initiative with the invaluable support of the eight bureaus that make up the River Renaissance effort:

o  Environmental Services,

o  Planning,

o  Parks,

o  Transportation,

o  Sustainable Development,

o  Development Services,

o  Water, and

o  the Portland Development Commission.

•  As you will hear from Gil Kelley and Michael Montgomery, this year’s report specifically describes 40 accomplishments from last fiscal year, sets forth an agenda of over 35 river-related actions for this year, and measures impacts through over 20 progress indicators.

•  This year’s report has a new feature—it profiles a number of impressive river efforts by these upstream communities in recognition of this important upstream work. Over 600,000 people live in Willamette River cities upstream of Portland—a population larger than Portland itself. How these communities embrace the River has vital implications for Portland, as well.

•  In summary, the 2006-07 State of the River Report shows that the City is on the move shaping the future embraced by Portlanders in VisionPDX—where a clean, accessible Willamette forms the hub of a vibrant community.

•  [hand-off to Gil Kelley and Michael Montgomery]