Our newest EPCC Member Waterfront Organizations of Oregon www.WaterfrontOregon.com and President Kelly Butler Holtz brings urgent important information for us to support our neighbor businesses who abut waterfront.  Please support them in fighting back onerous permitting rules at a time where the city says they are trying to make permitting easier:

Please join us this Tuesday for the public hearing on the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Project. This proposal (Proposed Draft) would apply new environmental overlay zones to large areas of river-adjacent industrial and waterfront property. The outcome matters to everyone who works on, lives on, or depends on the river.

Submit testimony

The Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026, at 4 pm. There are two ways to submit public testimony to the Planning Commission:

1. Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, Jan 13 at 4 pm.
2. Give oral testimony at the hearing. Testimony is limited to 2- minutes. Pre-register to provide oral testimony by Monday, Jan 12 at 5 pm.

Who shows up—and what we say—will make a difference. Spoken testimony is limited to 2-minutes. Written comments and a strong turnout are critical.

This is a hybrid meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at 1900 SW 4th, Suite 2500. The public may watch live and view the recording after the meeting.

Why this matters

River-dependent businesses must be located on the river to function. They cannot move inland without losing the very access that makes their work possible. The proposed overlays risk adding new layers of regulation that could restrict routine operations, maintenance, and future investment along the working waterfront—without clear environmental benefit. These businesses collectively support thousands of family-wage jobs in the region and are a cornerstone of Portland’s industrial economy.

Suggested Talking Points (pick one or two):

• River-dependent and waterfront businesses cannot relocate inland; zoning must reflect this fundamental reality.
• The working waterfront supports thousands of family-wage jobs tied directly to river access, navigation, and water-based commerce.
• Additional overlays could delay or increase the already high cost of essential maintenance (e.g., dredging, emergency repairs).
• The proposal risks duplicating existing regulations without demonstrating added environmental protection.
• Portland’s working waterfront supports jobs, housing, navigation, and emergency response, and should be protected as a functioning system—not regulated out of viability.
• Environmental goals should be met without undermining responsible stewardship efforts already in place.

Remember, you must pre-register to provide oral testimony. If you can’t attend the hearing, please consider submitting written testimony.  Every voice helps. Click the link below for more information about the project and how to testify.

Thank you for standing up for Oregon’s working waterfront and WOOO.