Exploring the Pacific Greenway: from Portland to the Coast

Preservation of working forests near Portland for wildlife habitat and recreation.

Forest Park and the Wildwood Trail end at NW Newberry Rd. Beyond that lies a huge expanse of the Tualatin hills that is crisscrossed by old logging roads, powerline access roads and many roads that are no longer passable thanks to the gentrification of exurbia that has effectively locked away vast tracts of wilderness behind new developments, “No trespassing signs” and electronically guarded gates.

For years many of us that cared for the preservation of Oregon’s forests pressed to curtail logging in these woods, and over time the timber companies responded by selling off these lands in the “politically sensitive” areas near Portland. And the lands were bought by well meaning residents that built their dream homes in the seclusion of these forest.

During my years of rambling through Portland’s northwestern hills, I’ve seen dramatically increased residential development at the far edges of Portland. Old logging roads that used to provide access to these wild hillsides are now locked behind electronic gates. Where once elk and deer roamed, secluded homes have sprung up replete with their menagerie of dogs, cats and invasive plants. Even critically important fire lanes in Forest Park have now been blocked, courting a fiery disaster in the future.

If there is one lesson I’ve learned as I walked these hills, it’s that logging is not the problem. In all the areas where there is active logging and forest management, I’ve found more game and healthier forests than elsewhere - even in the lands that Metro has purchased for preservation! The biggest danger by far is the “parcelization” of these lands and the encroachment of residential development. Not only does it decimate the wildlife, but it also guts the local natural resource-based economies that once sustained these rural communities. The exurban fringe of Portland is rapidly losing its local character and becoming a “colonial” economy dependent on the long-distance Portland commuter for economic sustenance.

Increasingly there is an awareness of the pernicious effects of this rural gentrification on both the wildlife, the local communities, and the interests of recreationists seeking public access to Oregon’s renowned forests. Thanks to timber companies like Longview Fiber, that allow public access on their timber lands there is still ample wilderness to “get lost in”, but economic pressures are already forcing the forestry industry to begin selling off their holding for real estate development. If we are not vigilant and smart about preserving Oregon’s green heritage, all these lands will soon vanish behind locked gates and only be accessible for the privileged that can afford to buy homes along the verges of these woods.

Stimson Lumber Co. has owned Pacific Northwest forests since the 1800’s, but recently the company filed Measure 37 claims that would allow housing on 56,000 acres across the Northwest. Seattle-based Plum Creek Timber Company also has filed Measure 37 claims for 36,000 acres of coastal land in Oregon. Washington County recently signed off on Stimson’s application which will result in the fracturing of large forested tracts into 20-40 acre lots. With the influx of these new residents rural roads will be overburdened, water resources will be exhausted and the natural resource-based economies of these regions will come uinder more pressure because these new residents will press for cessation of logging in their vicinity. The Volvo will crowd out the pickup truck and the rural diner will be replaced by a Starbucks outlet. And the timber companies will increasing turn their companies into real estate investment trusts that no longer care about the long term stewardship of the land, but rather want to sell to the next suburban buyer.

 As I walked these hills, it became very clear that unless we begin soon to preserve some of these lands for public and wildlife access, it will no longer be possible for Portlanders to drive 30- 60 minutes and go for a stroll in the woods - and with that we will have lost an invaluable part of our heritage. We need to begin preserving access to some of these key forests with easements, and linear trails that allow Oregonians to remain in touch with their natural heritage.

Some local conservation groups such as the Friends of Forest Park as well as ad hoc initiatives such as the Pacific Greenway Project are actively taking up this issue of extending protection and long term planning to the northern extension of the Forest Park area and are working with Metro, the Legislature , Portland Parks and the local community to craft policies that will protect the habitat, the wildlife, the recreational access and the economic stakes of the local communities. Contact the Friends of Forest Park (www.friendsofforestpark.org) if you want to know more about what’s is being done in this regard. Suffice it to say, that FoFP has been actively working on the protection of these interests for over 20 years and is a moderate conservation organization that takes a long-term practical approach to preserving these vital resources.

Picture: USGS detailed map of NW Oregon.