Because City of Portland and the Port are Potentially Responsible Parties, taxpayers pay for their portion of the cleanup. Your water bill has a Superfund tax. The tribes are respected. The City has an obligation to make sure that treaty rights are honored and the cleanup assures fish habitat.

Potential Responsible Parties, who at first refused to sign, were fined and shortly all parties signed. Three parties have come close to finishing their design. It is now 2025. Many years have passed since the river’s contamination was documented. Why has it taken so long? 🧵 5 of 5

Although the Portland Harbor was identified as a contaminated site many years ago, the record of decision was only published in 2017. This describes the necessary remedy for the harbor. Then each PRP (Potentially Responsible Party) had to agree to the cleanup and begin a design. 🧵 4 of 5

The Portland Harbor Superfund spans the North Reach from the Broadway Bridge to Sauvie Island. It includes both in water and upland cleanup. DEQ handles the upland portion and the EPA is working on the in-water portion. 🧵 3 of 5

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Comprehension and Liability Act (CERCLA) was created by the US congress in 1980 to create the Hazardous Substance Superfund. There are hundreds of Superfund sites across the country. 🧵 2 of 5

I see the animals make their way down to her shores and sing in celebration as one wall is torn down, but this is not a fantasy. It is the reality of the North Reach, abused, neglected and tucked away from sight. In the world of fairytales and rivers, is the Superfund Cleanup evil or a hero?

Some call the cleanup a constraint, one more thing to keep the mean sisters from getting to the elegant, exclusive ball Along comes the Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup, cutting through the thorns of Sleeping Beauty to free River from at least some of the waste that was thrown at her feet. 🧵 3/4

Nothing she does is good enough. The evil stepsisters of Cinderella poking and taunting. She, the Willamette River, is not the right size or shape and has too many green things hanging on her. She keeps them from going to the “Ball” and what’s with all those animals singing to her. 🧵 2 of 4

What is A&E?

Thanks a bunch!

Great ideas. This is a statewide problem. Totally agree.

What kind of geese and quail?

Oh really! We'd love to learn more from you.

They thought New Columbia was a perfume.

Yep!