Flood Safety News: July 2024 View this email in your browser Passing the Baton for Flood Safety “Where we stand today – poised to establish a single, unified district with modern flood safety purposes and sustainable revenues – is the result of sustained effort and compromise by leaders across our region, state, and nation. It is the result of countless people’s ongoing and commitment to flood safety.” – Ken Anderton, MCDD Board President   The Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District is Operational! For the past 107 years, four Drainage Districts – Multnomah County Drainage District, Peninsula Drainage District #1, Peninsula Drainage District #2, and the Sandy Drainage Improvement Company – managed the flood safety system in northern Multnomah County.  Beginning July 1st, 2024, a single, unified agency called the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (UFSWQD) will take over management of this system. This consolidation will result in a more efficient governance structure and reflects the fact that the flood protection infrastructure functions as one system. This District will take a more comprehensive approach to flood safety, including expanded use of nature-based solutions to flooding, and a greater focus on preparing for climate change, improving social equity, and honoring the cultural history of flooding in the area. Because a dry floodplain benefits the entire region, the new agency will collect operating revenue from nearly all of Multnomah County, resulting in a safer, more reliable system. On June 7th, 2024 the Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD) Board President formally recognized the significant contributions of the historic Districts in a letter to the UFSWQD Board of Directors. MCDD Board President Ken Anderton symbolized the transition by passing the flood safety baton – a physical baton made of recycled pipe with the engraving “Passing the Baton for the Next Century of Service” – to UFSWQD Board President Steve Fancher. Read the Letter Here Learn More about the UFSWQD Join the Board of Directors! As we move forward into the next century of flood management, the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District will be led by a new Board of Directors comprised of 5 elected positions and 4 governor-appointed positions. Starting in January 2025, this board will lead the strategic direction of the UFSWQD – an agency well poised to take over the management of this system with a sustainable operating revenue, new responsibility areas, and a significant regional investment in capital projects made possible by the passage of Measure 26-243. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for anyone interested in flood safety, emergency preparedness, equity, and environmental justice & conservation. The time commitment is estimated to be 6-10 hours per month, with an optional monthly stipend of $400.   Learn more about Joining the Board Fill out the Board Member Interest Form Bike the Levees! Join the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council on our annual Bike the Levees event! Bike the Levees Marine Drive to Historic Vanport Explore the region’s flood safety infrastructure by bike, and learn about the past, present and future of flood safety! Learn  more about the planned upgrades made possible by the passage of Measure 26-243.  Hear stories from Ed Washington, a Vanport survivor, and a life-long civic leader. When: Wednesday, July 10th from 5:15pm – 7:45pm Route:  Slow-paced, 12-mile route. Meet near the Cascade Station MAX Stop, end near the Delta Park MAX Station Dinner will be provided! Register Here for Bike the Levees District Project Updates 13th Avenue Discharge Lines Construction  The 13th Ave Pump Station provides important drainage services for the East Columbia and Bridgeton Neighborhoods, ensuring that these areas stay dry during rain events.  This project rehabilitates two discharge lines that allow stormwater to connect safely and efficiently from the flood protected areas to the surrounding natural waterways. Construction on this project will be completed by the end of September 2024.  Measure 26-243 will fund additional upgrades to this pump station to increase pumping capacity and add a back-up power source.  Gate Tower Inspection The managed floodplain has a series of cross levees which serve to control and isolate high water in the case of a flood event. There is a section of the cross levee adjacent to NE 223rd Ave that does not meet federal safety standards. The valves that should regulate the flow of water between the Blue Lake Basin and Salmon Creek are stuck in the open position, which could lead to uncontrolled flooding if either side of the cross levee experiences flooding.  Measure 26-243 will fund the replacement of the inoperable valve structure or “gate tower” and will repair or replace the culverts as needed based on a conditions assessment. This summer, District staff are deploying contractors to clean and inspect the pipe. This inspection will help engineers develop a design for the rehabilitation or replacement of the pipes and the control valve structure.    Improved Technology for Climate Preparedness This past spring, our Engineering Team has successfully measured the depth of the Columbia Slough at various locations to better model how our pump stations will perform under different storm events. This will help us be better prepared for more frequent and severe storm events in a changing climate.    Follow the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Our Mission: We equitably reduce flood risk and prepare for and respond to flood emergencies by maintaining levees, conveying water when necessary, and finding innovative and nature-based ways to live with more water around us while supporting community safety and the region’s economic vitality, contributing to the health of the river and watershed, planning for a more climate-resilient future, and promoting equity in all we do. Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality DistrictCopyright © Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District, all rights reserved.

June 20, 2024

NE 6th Drive Pump Station Project Contact: Debbie Caselton, Community Outreach Debbie.Caselton@portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-2831 Project Webpage: portland.gov/BES/NE6thPumpStation

Environmental Services is constructing a project to expand and remodel the 44-year-old NE 6th Drive Pump Station in the East Columbia neighborhood. The upgrades will modernize equipment, increase system capacity, and protect public health and the environment. General Schedule The project has started construction and should be completed by September 2025. Project Area The pump station is located on NE 6th Drive between N Vancouver Way and NE Middlefield Rd.

What’s Happening Now?  All work is weather-dependent and subject to change.  Week of June 17: Construction takes place during the work hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday:  Start demolition of the pump station structure. Week of June 24: Construction takes place during the work hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday:  Complete demolition of the pump station structure. Clean the wet and dry wells to prepare for slurry storage. Week of July 1 (No work on July 4): Construction takes place during the work hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday:  Prepare site for deep excavation shoring.

Different Method to be Proposed Engineers are working with the construction contractor to propose and evaluate the best method to install the deep piles. A key goal of this project is to improve the pump station’s resiliency to earthquake damage.  Deep supports or “piles” driven into the deep gravels are the most effective way to provide this earthquake resiliency. This is the method that the City of Portland has proposed, but the contractor will be proposing a less invasive method of installing the piles. We Want to Hear from You Environmental Services will inform businesses and residents about project activities and respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner. Please let us know if you have concerns such as business operations, local access, delivery routes and schedules, or other concerns.  Visit the project webpage at portland.gov/BES/NE6thPumpStation. Sign up to receive email or text message updates portland.gov/BES/signup. You can also sign up to receive information on other projects and topics. Contact Debbie Caselton with questions or comments by email at Debbie.Caselton@portlandoregon.gov or by phone at 503-823-2831. Please include your name, property address, and project name (NE 6th Drive) in your voicemail or email so we can provide you more details about what to expect. In the event of a sewer backup or basement flooding, call the Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7.

This project will help protect the health of the Columbia Slough Watershed. Know someone who would be interested in updates about this project? Please share this news! Stay Connected

The City of Portland is committed to providing meaningful access. To request translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, or other auxiliary aids or services, contact 503-823-7740, Relay: 711. Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas Translation and Interpretation: 503-823-7740 City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services | 1120 SW Fifth Ave. | Suite 613 | Portland, OR 97204 Manage the emails you get from us. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you may unsubscribe at any time.

NCA is recruiting 15 North Portland and East Portland residents to participate in a PBOT focus group on its Zero Emissions Delivery Zone Pilot Project.  Here is a link for registration:

https://forms.gle/8qq1c9udipMQVnhZ8. Would you, or anyone you know, be interested in participating? This focus group is seeking to hear from people who live, work or attend school close to high traffic freight corridors and warehouses.

When: Wednesday, June 26

Time: 6pm-7:30pm (Dinner at 6pm, focus group to begin at 6:30pm)

Where: Historic Kenton Firehouse,  8105 N. Brandon Ave, Portland 97217

 The first 15 people to register to attend in person focus group will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card. 

BACKGROUND

NCA is working with PBOT to co-facilitate focus groups regarding their pilot initiative for a zero emissions delivery zone downtown.    Last spring, PBOT was awarded almost $2 Million from USDOT to achieve three main objectives: (1) pilot a zero-emission delivery zone (2) test digital infrastructure tools to understand how people use and different types of vehicles are used in commercial loading zones and city streets (3) increase micro-delivery hub operations, like small warehouses that store goods to create easier delivery in smaller service areas, and expand the use of e-cargo trikes as last-mile delivery solutions.   We have used the recent PBOT analysis related to Warehousing and Transportation to determine that North Portland and East Portland Neighborhoods have a higher than average concentration of existing distribution centers and warehouses.

The city is considering how to improve the management of their Kenton Firehouse.

One option would be to transfer it to a non-profit organization. Friends of ours PDX, Terrance Moses’ non-profit, wants to create a board of citizens that would offer to manage the Firehouse. If you would be interested in serving on such a board, please contact

Terrance Moses

503.490.2598 cell

www.technetez.com

www.freindsofours.org

Community Engagement Opportunities – Summer Fairs and Festivals

Summer is just around the corner, and that means fairs, farmers markets, summer concerts and other community events are beginning to fill up the calendar. At these events, the IBR team will be out talking with the community, sharing information and answering questions about the efforts to replace the aging Interstate Bridge.    The program’s first tabling event of the season took place June 1 when we attended the Latino Community Resource Group’s Multicultural Resource. More than 50 people stopped by our booth to learn more and to provide feedback.    If you’re out and about this summer, stop by our booth, say hello, and check out the latest updates.    Here are a couple of the places you can expect to see us this month:    Vancouver Juneteenth Freedom Celebration — Saturday, June 15, Esther Short Park  NE Cully Sunday Parkways — Sunday, June 16, Fernhill Park

What’s Been Happening

Equity Roundtable — Pathways to active transportation: Strategies and solutions

The IBR program hosted its eighth equity roundtable discussion on May 21 exploring the topic of active transportation. Active transportation is any human-powered means of travel, such as walking, biking, running, skating, and using a wheelchair or stroller. The IBR program plans to include a shared use path as part of the structure that will replace the I-5 bridges across the Columbia River to improve the substandard and unsafe conditions for those who use active transportation to travel over the bridge currently.   During the equity roundtable, Program Administrator Greg Johnson was joined by IBR Principal Climate Officer Mara Krinke, IBR Active Transportation Design Lead Natalie Owen, The Street Trust Executive Director Sarah Iannarone, and Disability Rights Washington’s Director of Disability Mobility Initiative Anna Zivarts. The group participated in a conversation moderated by TriMet Community Affairs Manager Coral Egnew that touched on everything from how the design of active transportation has evolved over the years to strategies to build safe and inviting active transportation facilities that encourage use.   “We have an urban design team that is looking very closely at active transportation access to, in and around transit facilities, looking at where bus stops are located, how to get people from both sides of Hayden Island to the transit station, and really looking at ways to activate those spaces and connect them to existing facilities,” Natalie Owen said.   Sarah Iannarone commended the IBR team for its commitment to equity and for putting out “world-class” public and active transportation designs. She said that, once IBR’s investments are made, the region must continue to expand options for public and active transportation to ensure the widest number of people possible have easy access to these new facilities across the Columbia River.   “I do think the IBR team has done a really nice job developing the equity framework, and I want to give the team some real props on the robustness of that,” Iannarone said.   You can watch the full conversation here.

Construction opportunities and resources webpage

The IBR program has created a new webpage to host information regarding the proposed packaging and delivery of investments. The new page contains the preliminary information shared with attendees at the May 6 Construction Industry Event including a map of the conceptual packaging sequence and a list of the 28 proposed packages with a short description of the work, estimated cost range, duration, delivery agency and potential procurement methods.   These are initial proposals that can change as the program advances toward construction. The program will continue to seek feedback from contractors and other industry representatives, as well as look for opportunities to create smaller contract packages that encourage participation by small businesses and those owned by women and minorities.

Recent Meeting Summaries

Community Advisory Group (CAG) — May 9  The Community Advisory Group received an update on recent activities and a presentation on tolling for IBR including assumptions for what tolling will look like, an overview of the roles and responsibilities of different agencies involved in setting and implementing toll rates and policies, and an overview of the traffic and revenue studies analyzing potential toll rate scenarios. They were then presented with a breakdown of recent community engagement efforts and an overview of the work underway in the Community Benefits Advisory Group.  Equity Advisory Group (EAG) — May 20   The Equity Advisory Group received a program update and listened to a presentation from the IBR Urban Design team regarding the design of transit stations. They learned about the program’s equity objectives guiding this design work and how those principles are applied to locations such as the Vancouver Waterfront and Hayden Island Transit Stations. Members also heard an update on tolling for IBR including assumptions for what tolling will look like, an overview of the roles and responsibilities of different agencies involved in setting and implementing toll rates and policies, and an overview of the traffic and revenue studies analyzing potential toll rate scenarios.   Community Benefits Advisory Group (CBAG) — May 23  The Community Benefits Advisory Group heard a program update before receiving a brief presentation on potential community benefits including access to visual aids to promote education of overall program design, development of affordable housing, opportunities for community centers and repurposing existing retail areas for community development. These topics were discussed in small groups before reporting back to the full group for larger discussion.

Myth vs. Fact

Myth: The IBR program’s proposal for a replacement bridge will be too steep for pedestrians and cyclists to use comfortably. Fact: The program is currently working to implement designs for a shared use path that meets or exceeds the safety and ability standards laid out within the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This will connect the shared use path on the replacement bridge to the regional network of shared use paths on either side of the river by utilizing ramps of 3-4% grade with landings of approximately 1% grade that would bring users up to bridge profile height. Once the ramps on either side of the river connect with bridge profile height, the shared use path on the bridge itself will not exceed 4.5% grade across its apex; the maximum slope standard identified by the ADA is 5%.

On the Horizon

Upcoming Advisory Group Meetings & Events

Bi-State Legislative Committee  Monday, June 10 — 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Community Advisory Group  Thursday, June 13 — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Equity Advisory Group  Monday, June 17 — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Bi-state Tolling Subcommittee  Friday, June 21 — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Community Benefits Advisory Group   Thursday, June 27 — 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Meetings & Events Calendar

IBR Office Hours

Do you have questions and want to speak to a real person? We answer questions on a range of topics, including design, equity, Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise opportunities, community engagement, financial plans, and much more! Join us for IBR office hours, in person or virtually, and get your questions answered! NOTE: No new technical data will be available until the release of the environmental documentation.  Please make a 30-minute reservation at least 24 hours in advance. There are three ways you can make a reservation: Visit: SignUpGenius Email: info@interstatebridge.org Call: 888-503-6735 Please provide your contact information and what you would like to talk about. We will confirm your appointment and provide meeting details upon confirmation. See you there!