I just want to make the community aware of an upcoming local issue. At a speech to the City Club last week, the head of the Port of Portland announced plans to develop the refuge area at the West Hayden Island into a large shipping port, with grain elevators, storage for cars coming from Asia, ect. Moving forward with this plan would mean bringing in dredge to build up that end of the island and paving over the undeveloped land there.

As a resident of a houseboat moorage close to this piece of land (800 acres), I am frequently delighted to have heron bring their young to land on my deck. Beavers swim past the house and river otters play on the bank. That end of the island is home to 81 species of birds, painted turtles, deer, coyote pups. The site is on the migratory pattern for many species of birds. Loss of this refuge space would have serious environmental consequences.

Portland is a community that treasures our natural resources. Please help the Friends of West Hayden Island. Our web site is FWHI.us
The city council will soon be making a decision to annex West Hayden Island and rezone it as industrial. It is vital that we write letters to the city council and ask them to stop this project. Even if you don't live on the island, many people enjoy the water, boating and fishing. People throughout the area enjoy watching the birds that nest there. Once this refuge is gone, it's gone forever. The addresses for the city council members are on our web site. Please join us to SAVE WEST HAYDEN ISLAND.