Background
The Port filled approximately 65 acres of wetland at the southwest quadrant of Portland International Airport in 1993. The majority of the required wetland mitigation occurred at the Jewett Lake site. However, the permit also included upland and riparian mitigation planting at Buffalo Street (approximately 15.6 acres) and Elrod Road (approximately 10 acres). The Elrod Road site is located at N.E. Elrod Road and 33rd Avenue. The site is bordered on two sides by the East Slough.

Mitigation Plan
The goal for the site was to create linkage or connectivity of existing natural areas in the Columbia's south shore. The plan included enhancement of habitat surrounding a proposed water quality treatment facility to attract passerine birds, small mammals, and reptiles, while discouraging potential aviation hazards such as waterfowl. Approximately 10 acres of upland woodland were planted in deciduous/coniferous canopy with shrub understory in two locations, referred to as the north and south fields. Detailed location and design of the plantings were approved by the agencies in January 1994.

Status
Monitoring of the site has been taking place since 1995. In 2003 the permitting agency, the Department of State Lands signed off on the success of the site, relieving the Port of further vegetation monitoring. Wildlife monitoring has documented more than 65 species of birds, including belted kingfisher, American goldfinch, brown creeper, downy woodpecker, red-tailed hawk, killdeer, wood duck and western wood peewee. Other wildlife observed on the site include coyote, Townsend vole, garter snake and long-toed salamander. Weed control within and adjacent to the mitigation site is ongoing.