BPS News

For immediate release:

October 22, 2009

Contact:

Tricia Sears

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

503.823.1174

MEDIA ADVISORY

City's Invasive Plant Project Holds Informational Meeting and Public Hearing

WHAT: Informational Meeting and Public Hearing on Invasive Plants
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, 3-7 p.m.
WHERE: 1900 SW 4th Ave. 7A
WHY: The Planning Commission will consider the proposed changes to the City's policies and rules at a public hearing on Nov. 10, 2009 between 12:30 and 5 p.m.

The City of Portland has long recognized the problems resulting from the introduction of invasive plant species into the existing northwest ecosystem. Since 1991, the City has identified invasive plants with the lists of nuisance and prohibited plants in the Portland Plant List. These lists identify plants that are not allowed to be planted in certain protected zones and city-required landscaped areas.

More recently, the City took a multi-bureau effort to develop a citywide Invasive Species Management Strategy.

As one part of implementing this new strategy, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) in conjunction with the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), is leading an evaluation of City policies and rules relating to invasive plants, and recommending updates to City codes and documents. These include:

• Updating the Portland Plant List to include a ranking of invasive plants;
• Updating the City’s Zoning Code (Title 33) and Property Maintenance Regulations (Title 29) to manage invasive species in development and in non-development situations;
• Ensuring that the Portland Plan and Comprehensive Plan Update address invasive species in their goals and objectives; and
• Considering the creation of a local noxious or invasive weed law.

The description of the proposed changes is included in the Proposed Draft: Report and Recommendations to Planning Commission for the Invasive Plant Policy Review and Regulatory Improvement Project, which was released on Oct. 9, 2009.

Visit www.portlandonline.com/bps/invasiveplantpolicy to view a copy of the Proposed Draft, view the public notice of the Planning Commission hearing and the public information meeting, and to view a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet.

Visit www.portlandonline.com/bes/invasivespolicy more information about invasive plants.

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