Commission seeks clearer Milton Creek Reserve boundaries, will ask staff to formalize map

The St. Helens Parks & Trails Commission reviewed a draft map and ecological zoning for the Milton Creek Reserve and agreed to ask staff to formalize boundaries before bringing a request to city council.

Commissioners discussed a rough map that divides the area into ecoregions: old‑growth Douglas‑fir, a Camas Meadow set‑aside, oak woodlands and wetlands. Speakers highlighted the presence of sensitive species and habitat elements on portions of the site, including sphagnum moss, a plant identified in discussion as "eryngium hediilatum," and numerous fairy shrimp (described in the meeting as priority species). The commission also discussed a possible pedestrian bridge location where two maintained roads meet and the channel narrows.

Commissioner Scott agreed to take the draft map to city staff (Jacob) for technical cleanup and to determine precise acreage and property lines, including any port property that abuts the site. Commissioners said they want clear parcel lines and acreage figures before formally asking council to set aside land for the Milton Creek project. Several commissioners also suggested notifying the Port of Columbia County early in the process and asking port staff for input.

Commissioners expressed particular interest in preserving the Camas Meadow remnant in the area and noted it is one of the larger patches of that habitat in the city’s inventory. The commission did not vote to recommend acquisition or to authorize any expenditures; members agreed this step is preparatory — to get a cleaned, staff‑verified map and then return to council with a defined request if warranted.