Wetland Preservation
Wetland Preservation through Partnership
In 2008, the Port sold a portion of its Willow Grove property to the Vancouver, Washington, based conservation group Columbia Land Trust (CLT) in a step toward becoming a ‘greener’ port.
Originally purchased for industrial development, the Port acquired 388 acres of Willow Grove wetlands property in three separate transactions (1959, 1965, 1974). Since purchasing the land, steepened mitigation requirements have deterred such development. To date, the property has only been used in the mitigation of industrial developments at the Port’s main property.
Under the agreement, CLT purchased 237 acres and transferred 75 Port-mitigated acres for $355,500. Port of Longview will retain ownership of the remaining 76 acres for future mitigation needs and also have right of first refusal to mitigation credits derived from the 237 acres sold.
“Our staff has worked very hard to develop this innovative approach with Columbia Land Trust, which we believe will serve as a model throughout the State for wetland preservation,” said Port of Longview Executive Director Ken O’Hollaren.
Columbia Land Trust’s mission is to conserve forever the scenic and natural values of the land and water. Founded in 1990, their impressive portfolio of more than 8,000 acres of preserved land spans 13 counties in Washington and Oregon.
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