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Council approves Fox Creek stewardship agreement, adds seven-year term amendment
Summary
The Rainier City Council approved a cooperative stewardship agreement for Fox Creek with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and agreed to a seven-year stewardship amendment after concerns about prior failed mitigation. Two councilors will serve on a steering committee.
Rachel Barry, a representative of the Lower Columbia River Watershed Council, described Oregon Solutions' interest in convening partners to advance the Fox Creek restoration project and asked the council to name local members to a steering committee. "I would like a couple of councilors to serve on a steering committee to help guide the efforts," Barry said.
Mayor Jerry Cole noted the City is responsible only for the portion of Fox Creek under C Street and warned that the project also involves private property and Highway 30, which is maintained by the Oregon Department of Transportation. "The City doesn’t have the money to purchase the private property," Cole said, underscoring the project's need for partner coordination. Councilors Denise Watson and Charleen Ratkie agreed by consensus to serve on the steering committee.
Councilor Mike Kreger moved to approve a cooperative agreement with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership to support ongoing stewardship along Fox Creek; Councilor Denise Watson seconded the motion. After Councilor Paul Langner raised concerns about a past failed mitigation with the Department of State Lands and moved to amend the agreement to include a stewardship commitment of up to seven years, the amendment was seconded by Councilor Scott Cooper and adopted unanimously. The council then approved the cooperative agreement as amended.
Why it matters: The agreement creates a framework for multi-party stewardship without obligating the City to take on purchase costs, while the added term aims to prevent short-lived efforts that may leave restoration incomplete. The council directed staff and the designated steering members to continue coordination with partner agencies.
