City, owner reach Ross Island deal

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Sep 14, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Jim Clark / TRIBUNE FILE PHOTOS

It took time, but Ross Island owner Robert Pamplin Jr. and the city of Portland have reached an agreement that will turn about 60 acres of the industrial island in the Willamette River into a nature preserve.

The city of Portland is poised to receive about 60 acres of Ross Island as a nature preserve from owner Robert Pamplin Jr.

In a Sept. 10 letter to Pamplin, who also owns the Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers Inc., Mayor Tom Potter confirmed that an agreement on the donation had been reached.

“Your generous gift will ensure protection of Ross Island as an important habitat and wildlife preserve for generations to come,” Potter wrote.

Pamplin will continue operating Ross Island Sand & Gravel on adjacent land. Although negotiations over the donation took years to conclude, Pamplin said the results were worth it.

“Many times, to reach a satisfactory result, worthwhile endeavors require patience and tenacity over a protracted period,” he said. “I am pleased that my desire to have a portion of Ross Island become a part of the city of Portland is becoming a reality. I am additionally gratified that this gift was achieved while balancing the retention of jobs with environmental and preservation concerns.”

Pamplin added: “I wish to extend my gratitude to all those who worked with me to achieve this gift.”

The donation will be made in two steps, said Potter press aide John Doussard. More than 44 acres of the west side of the island that the city has declared environmentally clean can be transferred now.

Another 15 or so acres are being cleaned up and will be transferred when the process is finished.

The next step is for the City Council to formally grant Potter the authority to sign the donation agreement on behalf of the city.

jimredden@portlandtribune.com

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