Author: Margaret Noel

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed cleanup plan does not adequately address the pollution in the Portland Harbor nor does it provide the level of risk reduction essential to protecting human health and the environment.
• It is of utmost importance to adopt and implement a thorough cleanup plan for the Portland Harbor that, in addition to removing toxic substances, will have effective, permanent long-term results and reduce the possibility that additional action will be needed in the future.
• There should be less reliance on the EPA-proposed level of capping and Monitored Natural Recovery (naturally occurring processes that reduce contamination) and more emphasis on removing contaminated sediment.
• Contaminated sediments must be stored offsite in certified toxic waste disposal facilities.
• Long-term monitoring is essential.  The EPA and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality should establish a common agreement on how to measure the success of the plan that is adopted.

The League of Women Voters of Portland has received a Multnomah Bar Foundation grant to hold candidate and ballot measure forums and provide comprehensive voters’ guides prior to the primary and general elections.

Press release.