As climate change increases the chance of extreme weather events and excessive rain, the areas near rivers and other bodies of water are at greater risk of flooding and environmental disruption. This puts people, buildings, wildlife, trees and other vegetation at risk.
The Floodplain Resilience Plan will reduce the impacts of future flooding on those who live and work in, or close to, Portland’s floodplains. The plan also aims to protect floodplain habitat for endangered and threatened fish species. This effort responds to Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) guidance by updating the rules that apply to new development along the edges of Portland’s rivers and streams.
The Floodplain Resilience project will:
- Expand environmental zones to protect areas in the city’s floodplains.
- Update requirements in areas of high risk of flooding to better manage tree and vegetation removal and ensure future development manages flood risk and preserves floodplain habitat.
- Add new mitigation requirements to areas within 170 feet of the Willamette River in the Central City to improve floodplain habitat near Portland’s rivers and streams.
Submit testimony
In person
The Floodplain Resilience Plan Proposed Draft is headed to the Planning and Sustainability Commission for consideration on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at 5 p.m.* This hearing will be a hybrid format. Testifiers can participate either in-person or virtually using a computer, mobile device, or telephone. You must sign up to testify in advance. The deadline to sign up to testify at the Sept. 27 hearing is Monday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m.
The in-person PSC hearing will be at 1900 SW 4th Ave, Suite 2500A, Portland, OR 97201.
*Please confirm the PSC schedule one week prior to the hearing.
In writing
Use the Map App
Testify in writing via the Map App
Click on the "Testify" button. You can testify on the proposals in general. Testifying in the Map App is as easy as sending an email. Once your testimony is submitted, you can read it in real time. You can also read other people’s testimony. Testimony will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.
U.S. Mail
You must provide your full name and mailing address.
Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission
Floodplain Resilience Plan Testimony
1810 SW 5th Ave, Suite 710
Portland, OR 97201
Have questions?
View property-specific proposals on the Map App interactive tool.
Speak to City staff using the project helpline: 503-823-7831
Original source can be found here.
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