Questions & Answers

By what authority does the city of Portland have dictating what happens in Washington County? Isn't their authority limited to Multnomah county?

Response: The City of Portland was issued a permit from Washington County to construct and operate the existing Fanno pump station. I do understand that historically the City of Portland has owned and operated multiple pump stations that have served the basin. As we discussed at the public meeting last week, five older pump stations (roughly 1950's era) were replaced by the Fanno Pump Station (Fanno PS) when it came online in late 1999. I don't have the specific details of the agreement between Portland and Washington County regarding the 'authority' referred to in this question. I do know that the flows that the Fanno system manages have not and are not predicted to be sent to any other agency anytime in the future. This seems relevant if the questioner is interested in understanding why the facility is located where it is, i.e. outside of Multnomah County, (historically, this area has been treated by the City of Portland). Service districts and county lines rarely meet up as 'black and white' distinctions at their borders.

As an aside, some have asked if the five older stations could be rehabilitated to replace the Fanno pump station. It is relevant to note that most (if not all) of these five stations have been removed or deconstructed. One was formerly sited at the SE corner of SW 45th Ave and SW Vermont. This location is currently occupied by the front steps and door of the SW Community Center.

Why don't they build this facility in Multnomah County?

Response: Some, but not all, of the five older pump stations that Fanno PS replaced were in Multnomah County. However, when the Fanno PS was designed it needed to be at (or near) the lowest point, (in terms of elevation), in the Fanno basin in order to collect all of the flows. The Fanno PS receives the wastewater that comes to it by gravity. This spot that I am referring to, (the lowest elevation in the Fanno basin) is not located in Multnomah County, it is located, more or less, where the existing Fanno PS is located, which is clearly in Washington County.

So, from the perspective of both of the above questions, it seems most appropriate to restate that historically the City of Portland has been, and will continue to be, responsible for treating the wastewater from the Fanno basin. In order to collect these flows of wastewater the pump station needed to be located where it is currently located near the Portland Golf Club. Moving the existing pump station, for example, east into Multnomah County would not allow the pump station to collect wastewater from the Fanno basin by gravity since this supposed location would be at a higher elevation than the existing site.

Who is the FINAL deciding authority on this project? What involvement does (sic) Washington County authorities have in this?

Response: It is difficult to identify a 'final' authority because of the complexity of permitting a project such as this one. If the questioner could provide a more detailed question I may be able to share more relevant information. That being said, BES will apply to Washington County for a land use review and eventually building permits for this facility. Washington County will also facilitate some of the other permits needed for this project, (i.e. needed permits issued by other agencies such as Clean Water Services for example).

I am sharing these responses with the group of residents that has emailed me since 9.18.09. The majority of these residents seem to be in, or near, the Vista Brook neighborhood and could therefore benefit from these responses. Thank you for taking the time to send me these questions.

Stephen