*Authorize application and accept award funds from Oregon Office of Emergency Management for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grant for the Springwater Wetlands and Floodplain Restoration Project along Johnson Creek in Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhoods in amount not to exceed $5,601,750

If awarded, HMGP funds will be used to restore floodplain and wetlands to mitigate flooding in the Johnson Creek floodplain in the Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhoods of City of Portland. Johnson Creek floods from stormwater that poses problems in residential, commercial, and public areas. Prior to the City’s restoration efforts, Johnson Creek had a history of flooding every two years on average in these neighborhoods, damaging roads, homes, and businesses. This HMGP grant will allow the City of Portland to restore floodplain and wetlands located within Johnson Creek’s 100-year floodplain. The Springwater Wetlands and Floodplain Restoration project will create flood storage to reduce damage to homes, businesses, other structures, and public infrastructure, and threats to public safety in the Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhoods. BES received HMA funding in 1996 and 2006 to purchase flood-prone properties and implement floodplain restoration in the Johnson Creek Watershed. Funding from the HMGP will directly support implementation of the City’s Johnson Creek Restoration Plan (JCRP, 2001), which calls for restoring natural resource functions to reduce frequent flooding, improve water quality, and improve habitat.

This Council action does not amend the City budget. If this grant application is successful, BES will amend the project budget to include grant funding through a fall budget adjustment. If awarded, up to $5,601,750 in grant funds will be used to design, permit, and construct the Springwater Wetlands and Floodplain Restoration Project. Grant funds will be used to leverage the City’s capital investment in this project, estimated at a total cost of $7,469,000. If awarded, this grant will require a minimum 25% cost share of local match estimated at about $1,867,250. Matching funds are budgeted in the Bureau of Environmental Services Project E07383.

The City of Portland has ongoing and planned outreach with the community. Some community project elements include: Lents Stabilization and Job Creation Collaborative Oregon Solutions Project Declaration of Cooperation: Oregon Solutions engaged City of Portland bureaus, neighborhood groups, Metro, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and community-based nonprofits to identify actions that would lessen the impacts of flooding and flood insurance costs on the physically, economically, and socially vulnerable neighborhoods of Lents and Powellhurst Gilbert. Newsletter to floodplain property owners, including the owners of the properties impacted by the Springwater Wetlands and Floodplain Restoration Project: The newsletter includes information about flood safety, floodplain development regulations, BES’ efforts to address flood impacts from Johnson Creek. Neighborhood outreach: Lents Neighborhood Association, Lents Livability Association Meeting, Powellhurst Gilbert Neighborhood Association presentations; Native American Community Advisory Council site tours (Fall 2019/Winter 2020). Large community events were delayed due to public health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Community-based organization partnerships: For over 20 years the City of Portland has actively partnered with organizations like Johnson Creek Watershed Council and Zenger Farms to promote environmental stewardship and education for students and adults about the ecological values of Johnson Creek and its wetlands. Zenger Farms is a working urban farm that models, promotes and educates about sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, community development and access to good food for all. Many students who participate in these programs come from David Douglas School District, where 63 native languages are spoken and 24% of students are English-language learners. The experiential and science-based programs teach kids of all backgrounds about food, farming, wetland conservation, and environmental stewardship. The Springwater Project will build upon and further enhance nearby natural area access, education, outreach, and stewardship activities. Foster Lents Integration Partnership, a multi-agency effort led by the Portland Development Commission (now Prosper Portland) with community engagement developed an action plan to support a healthier, more prosperous future for the Foster Corridor. This area is part of the Lents Urban Renewal District and includes substantially decreasing flood risks in the Lents and Powellhurst Gilbert neighborhoods