Regional Industrial Wetlands /Wetlands Mitigation Solutions

Overview of key findings... What is a “wetland”? How do wetlands impact

industrial development? How will we move forward?

What is a “wetland”? May not always be wet –

Seasonal Altered (farmed, tiled, channeled)

Inundated or saturated with ground or surface water to support hydrophytes (aquatic plants)

What is a “wetland”?

Is this Tangent site likely to be a wetland?

What about this Corvallis site?

What is a “wetland”? Serve important

functions – Storm water retention Ground water recharge Filter contaminates Wildlife & plant habitat Recreation Aesthetics

How do wetlands impact sites?

Almost all industrial sites have areas of known or suspected wetlands

Few 10+ acre sites could be developed without impacting likely wetlands area...

How do wetlands impact sites?Lebanon Rodeo Industrial Park

Total Area of Sites: 120.1 AcresDelineated Wetlands: 73.1 Acres

How do wetlands impact sites?South Albany Industrial Park

Total Area of Sites: 247.0 AcresDelineated Wetlands: 125.5 Acres

What are the issues?Phase I findings – Uncertainty & time to

address wetlands permit requirements are impediments to siting industry

Cost to meet regulations is a lesser factor for larger build-to-suit development

What are the issues? Development impacting wetlands must

be approved Development must -

#1 - Avoid wetlands area#2 - Minimize impact to wetlands#3 - Compensate for impact -

Restore / create new wetlands Same / more wetlands area Same / enhanced functions & values

What are the issues? 2 separate approvals -

Oregon Dept. of State Lands US Army Corps of Engineers

Review requires real development plan

Review > possible permit can take 1 year

Requires recent delineation Must prove non-wetlands sites

aren’t viable

Track 1: Streamlined permitting

Top State priority

Regulators support Regional General Permit Seeking 70%+ certainty...

Current delineation required Development plan review required

Efficiency in multi-site review Regional “Alternatives Analysis” On-site analysis of conditions

Funding to Develop RGP proposal for ~20 prime sites Package State “Decision-Ready” documentation

How will we move forward?

Regional Industrial Lands Preparedness - Wetlands Mitigation SolutionsCoordinated by –Oregon Cascades WestCouncil of GovernmentsIn cooperation with –City of Adair Village City of LebanonCity of Albany City of MillersburgCity of Corvallis City of TangentState of OregonWith funding provided by –OCWCOGState of OregonBL3 Regional Investment BoardPacifiCorp