Background
The Port impacted a total of 1.3 acres of scrub/shrub and emergent and open-water wetlands adjacent to North Lombard Street along the Columbia Slough. This occurred during the expansion of rail capacity to provide more efficient rail service to industries in the southern portion of the Rivergate Industrial District. The West Wye mitigation site is located west of the impact area in the same drainage corridor and is immediately adjacent to the T-5 Powerline mitigation site.

Mitigation Plan
The goal of the mitigation plan is to restore wetland hydrology and increase diversity of wildlife habitat by establishing 1.3 acres of wetland surrounding an existing 0.32 acre pond (Nursery Pond) and enhancing approximately 1.1 acres of surrounding upland habitat. This area is contiguous with the corridor that restores the connection between Smith and Bybee Lakes Natural Area and the Willamette River.

Status
Site construction began in 1996 and was completed in 1997. The final-year monitoring report was submitted to the agencies in 2002, and it showed that overall survival of woody and herbaceous species was above the survival performance criterion. Approximately 70 species of plants, including 35 native plants, have been recorded from the site. Observed wildlife include over 30 species of birds, such as black-capped chickadee, downy woodpecker, Wilson snipe, and spotted towhee. In addition, a variety of other wildlife, including black-tailed deer, coyote, raccoon, painted turtle, Pacific tree frog, common garter snake and beaver, have been recorded at the site. The Port continues to inspect and manage the site to control invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, poison hemlock and common tansy.