Habitat restoration of PGE Harborton Site underway

By Brian Hoop

Christopher Bozzini, with Portland General Electric, joined us at the September neighborhood meeting to provide an overview and answer questions about the transformation of the 74-acre PGE property at the North end of Linnton known as the Harborton Restoration Site.

This is the site of the large PGE substation between Hwy 30 and the river where electrical transmission lines cross the Willamette River. It’s a prime location for restoring wildlife habitat within the Portland Harbor Superfund area. The site includes natural wetlands and is home to one of the largest known breeding grounds for Northern Red-Legged Frogs, the very frogs the dedicated team of volunteers are assisting with passage across the highway each winter.

PGE placed dredge material on site in the 1950s and 60s.
In addition to the substation, the site was used for pole
and equipment storage as well as being a former peak
energy facility. 

PGE plans to restore and enhance 20 acres of seasonally available off-channel aquatic and riparian habitat for fish and wildlife across the total 53 acres. The project will restore fish access to the Willamette River floodplain, providing a rest space for juvenile salmon. About 13 acres will be preserved for red-legged frog breeding habitat.

The project involves excavating 160,000 cubic yards of soil and planting about 84,000 native vegetation starts. PGE will monitor and maintain the site for a decade after restoration is complete, then donate the property to a land trust for permanent protection.

To learn more go to: portlandgeneral.com/Harborton or Chris Bozzini at chris.bozzini@pge.com or 503-464-7853.

Leave a comment