Regional Industrial Lands Readiness Wetlands Mitigation Solutions Regional Industrial Lands Readiness - Wetlands Mitigation Solutions Coordinated by – Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments In partnership.
Download ReportTranscript Regional Industrial Lands Readiness Wetlands Mitigation Solutions Regional Industrial Lands Readiness - Wetlands Mitigation Solutions Coordinated by – Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments In partnership.
Regional Industrial Lands Readiness Wetlands Mitigation Solutions Regional Industrial Lands Readiness - Wetlands Mitigation Solutions Coordinated by – Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments In partnership with – State of Oregon: Gov’s Office, DLCD, DSL, Business Oregon, OED City of Adair Village City of Albany City of Corvallis City of Lebanon City of Millersburg City of Tangent Economic Dev Organizations: AMEDC BL3 Regional Investment Board PacifiCorp Overview of key findings... What is a “wetland”? How do wetlands impact industrial sites? What are the issues? What needs to be “fixed”? How are we moving forward? What is a “wetland”? What about this Corvallis site? Is this Tangent site likely to be a wetland? What is a “wetland”? May not always be wet – Seasonal Altered (farmed, tiled, channeled) Inundated or saturated with ground or surface water to support hydrophytes (aquatic plants) What is a “wetland”? Serve important functions – Storm water retention Ground water recharge Filter contaminates Wildlife & plant habitat Recreation Aesthetics Goal 5 balancing act How do wetlands impact sites? Almost all industrial sites have areas of known or suspected wetlands Few 10+ acre sites could be developed without impacting likely wetlands area... How do wetlands impact sites? Lebanon Rodeo Industrial Park Total Area of Sites: 120.1 Acres Delineated Wetlands: 73.1 Acres How do wetlands impact sites? South Albany Industrial Park Total Area of Sites: 247.0 Acres Delineated Wetlands: 125.5 Acres What are the issues? Analysis of wetlands-related impacts on industrial development found Uncertainty & time to address wetlands permit requirements are impediments to siting industry Cost to meet regulations is a lesser factor for larger buildto-suit development What are the issues? Development proposal must work to #1 - Avoid wetlands area #2 - Minimize impact to wetlands #3 - Compensate for impact Restore wetlands / create new wetlands Same / more wetlands area Same / enhanced wetlands functions & values What are the issues? Review requires real, detailed, development plan Review to possible permit can take over 1 year Recent delineation Delineate in rainy season Must prove non-wetlands sites aren’t possible Developer must mediate between DSL & US ACE What are we “fixing”? Forecast future industrial land demand Preferred & likely future Inform local Comp Plan updates = 20 years Understand industrial site wetlands Address wetlandsrelated uncertainty & timing impediments BASELINE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT PROJECTION Broad Economic Trends State Economic Vision and Economic Initiatives The Region’s Assets Anticipated Growth and Change in Industrial Sectors REFINED ECONOMIC FUTURE – REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT PROJECTION Community Characteristics and Preferred Economic Future Evaluate Alternative Views of Industrial Land Demand DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND What are we “fixing”? Industrial Economic Opportunities Analysis Need ~1,500 acres of vacant land to meet demand & provide market choice Inventory requires about 84 sites 20 sites of 10-acres or more 63 sites of under 10 acres (76% of demand) Cities inventoried 3,360 acres in 108 sites Review of wetlands on “key sites” Toured sample of 20 sites most likely to develop ~100–300 acres will need to be mitigated Common approach is possible All in same Upper Willamette Basin 97% of potential wetlands area is PEM Flats classification What are we “fixing”? Regulators prefer larger areas to individual or on-site mitigation – Shared maintenance costs Eased monitoring Increased long-term success Securing mitigation bank credits improves part of certainty issue, but... In ‘08 almost all existing & planned Upper Willamette credits were taken, and... ‘08 Upper Willamette credit purchases averaged $93,654 ($84,500 state-wide) How will we move forward? Track A: Regional mitigation Cities agree they have a role in providing industrial development certainty Business plan for mitigation banking strategy Strong desire to add multiple values into/alongside public mitigation area Cascades West Regional Consortium incorporated Seeking project development funding State endorsement for this regional effort Connections to potential partners How will we move forward? Track B: Streamlined permitting State priority – great support Regulators like regional permit & RGP provides ~70% certainty Gov’s Strategic Reserve Funds Solicited for & selected 20 “best” sites for analysis Contracted w/Pacific Habitat Services to develop RGP Proposal Continued RSC assistance 20 sites moving to “Decision-Ready” status Professional services for “Certified” readiness Regional Industrial Lands Readiness - Wetlands Mitigation Solutions Coordinated by – Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments In partnership with – State of Oregon: Gov’s Office, DLCD, DSL, Business Oregon, OED City of Adair Village City of Albany City of Corvallis City of Lebanon City of Millersburg City of Tangent Economic Dev Organizations: AMEDC BL3 Regional Investment Board PacifiCorp