MAZAMAS
August 25, 1972.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Columbia Slough Environmental Improvement Task Force, Ladies and Gentlemen:
My name is Martha Ann Platt, I live at 2738 N.E. 14th Avenue, Portland, Oregon. I am making this statement on behalf of the Mazamas, a 78 year old mountaineering club which is very interested in outdoor recreation.
We appreciate the Port of Portland’s and Task Force’s concern evidenced by the technical reports and many plans submitted. This painstaking effort indicates a conscientious, responsible attitude toward functioning in the public interest.
Since Mazamas are an outdoor group, our statement will be limited to our many first hand experiences in the Rivergate area and to our general knowledge of recreation use and needs.
We find that Plan 3 provides the most rational approach to land and water use for the following reasons:
1. More acreage is included for recreation such as greenbelts along the Columbia Slough, Bybee and Smith Lakes and open spaces plus the present West and East Delta Parks. Mazamas favor these concepts as a sound public land use that is not only aesthetically a pleasant contrast but necessary for wildlife protection and habitat. When trees and shrubbery are present they act as an air and noise pollution modifier.
2. Over many years, with owner permission, Mazamas have scheduled hikes in this area. I personally have led trips, beginning at the locked gate, going through the farm with its varied animals including a bison, past the old pear and walnut orchards then to view the big blue heron rookery in the large cottonwoods near the Columbia River. Other hikes were in the vicinity of the lakes and slough to see the massive 7′ thick ash trees, the beaver dams, (one more than 8′ high,) other wildlife and interesting flora. Most hikes also have participated in the annual winter bird census of the National Audubon Society, counting populations and species both on the land and waters of Rivergate.
3. Past use has give us an appreciation, not only of the recreation potential of Rivergate, but an awareness of the urgency to preserve wildlife habitat and scenic values in a quiet, natural setting now. Outdoor recreation has become Big Business judging from the vast increase in printed materials in newspapers, magazines, tour guides; great increase membership of outdoor clubs, the enormous sales volume of sports equipment and specialized clothing, recreation vehicles, as well as the public agency reports of excessive visitors in forests and parks. Along with these factors is the accelerated interest in hiking, jogging, and bicycling as healthful pursuits preferably on paths in a woodsy setting. Once such a taste is developed, it isn’t necessarily limited to yearly vacations or weekends but may be indulged anytime, nearby if possible. There are no other water oriented hiking or bicycle trials in North Portland in public ownership. Rivergate could meet this growing need very well.
4. A revitalized Columbia Slough could offer, with adequate public access points, fine, quiet recreation for canoers, rowboatmen, wildlife observers, boat and bank fishermen, and hikers. We envision no commercial uses, no power boats, no expensive riprapping of dikes, no need to alter existing bridge clearance, no motor vehicles on the dikes. We do recognize the need for coping with the present contamination of the Slough and planning for flushing and flow regulation but these are engineering problems beyond our knowledge.
5. Plan 3 could emphasize special interest features by designating wildlife viewing areas, self-guiding nature trails with labeled trees, shrubs and plants, and provide good directional and mileage signs on attractively named trails. Such educational and historic information can bring added respect and enhance the outdoor experience for the novice and generate pride in the “old timers”.
6. Mazamas have long been in favor of multiple, balanced use of public lands which includes careful evaluation of woods, water, wildlife and recreation as well as residential and commercial use. The dominant or most important, long range use should determine the final land decisions, we believe this is a basically sound approach. In Rivergate this examination has been made. We know that more industrial sites are available in Multnomah County with more in process than are being taken up, so the additional recreation Land in Plan 3 is not a deprivation. It would appear to us that recreation lands so designated have a higher priority for public benefit.
In conclusion, may I thank your staff for making such excellent presentations of their findings and for making pertinent materials available to the Mazamas. Thank you for the opportunity to make this statement.
