|
The Portland/Vancouver region is one of five international gateways on the U.S. West Coast. The
region is well served by major trade facilities in marine, rail, and truck cargo. Each of these modes
uses equipment powered primarily by diesel engines. The freight moving sector, responding to local,
regional, and national air quality concerns, has initiated actions to reduce diesel emissions. However,
freight transport through the Portland-Vancouver area is expected to increase over time driven by
projected population growth as well as geographic considerations that make the Portland-Vancouver
region a strategic location for distribution.
Regional air quality impacts from diesel emissions may affect human health, environmental, regional
economic, and visibility conditions in the nearby Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Under
the National Scenic Area Act, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is an area where air
quality must be protected and enhanced. Recent studies have shown there are many different
sources from all over the region that are causing haze problems in the Gorge, including emissions
from PGE Boardman, motor vehicles including on-road and off-road diesel engines, natural sources
(forest fires), and woodstoves.
Given these trends and findings, there is a strong need for developing a sustainable approach to
meeting this projected growth.
- Oregon Solutions Declaration of Cooperation, current version July 21, 2009 [pdf]
- Project Convener: Jim Jacks, Washington State Legislator and Jay Waldron, environmental attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
- Project Manager: Josh Proudfoot and Aaron Toneys
|
