The Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (the “UFSWQD”) was created by the Oregon State Legislature during the 2019 legislative session to modernize the management of 27 miles of levee and water conveyance system that run from North Portland through Gresham, Fairview, and Troutdale. This new special district will ultimately replace the four independent Drainage Districts, each of which currently manages parts of the system, and help to establish a safer, more modern and sustainable way to manage flood safety along the Columbia River in the Portland metropolitan region.
THE URBAN FLOOD SAFETY AND WATER QUALITY DISTRICT
URBAN FLOOD SAFETY AND WATER QUALITY DISTRICT / WHO WE ARE / URBAN FLOOD SAFETY AND WATER QUALITY DISTRICT
DISTRICT PURPOSE
The Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District will continue the work of the four drainage districts in operating, maintaining, and improving the local flood safety infrastructure along the Columbia River and responding to flood emergencies. The UFSWQD will also take on some new services, including:
- Contributing to improved water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and landscape resilience in the managed floodplain;
- Promoting equity and social justice in all aspects of the district’s operations;
- Preparing for and adapting to the impact of climate change in relation to the managed floodplain; and
- Providing the public with information regarding the infrastructure and the history of the managed floodplain.
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
The UFSWQD Board of Directors adopted the following vision, mission, and values statements in December 2021.
Vision
A flood-ready, equitable, and climate-resilient community, economy, and watershed.
Mission
We equitably reduce flood risk and prepare for and respond to flood emergencies by maintaining levees, conveying water when necessary, and finding innovative and nature-based ways to live with more water around us while supporting community safety and the region’s economic vitality, contributing to the health of the river and watershed, planning for a more climate-resilient future, and promoting equity in all we do.
Values
Our work is guided and informed by our beliefs and commitment to:
- Safety
The safety of our staff and partners, residents and visitors, local employers and employees, and the environment underpins our work. - Preparedness
Always ready to respond to flood emergencies, the demands of climate change, and other challenges that face our community. - Stewardship
The environment is central to what we do. We strive to do no harm and make contributions to the health of the river and watershed by improving habitat, water quality, and landscape resilience. - Equity & Inclusion
Listening to the voices of underrepresented communities and driving decision-making and investments in ways that remove barriers for communities that have been historically harmed by or marginalized from decisions about the floodplain. - Respect
Elevate and learn from the stories of the people who have lived – and continue to live – along the river. Be friendly, efficient, collaborative partners and responsible stewards of the resources we are provided.
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
The UFSWQD boundary is tied to the portion of Multnomah County that lies within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) as set by Metro, which reflects the area where the greatest economic benefit is experienced due to the activity and infrastructure made possible by the levee and water conveyance systems.
DISTRICT OVERSIGHT
The authorizing legislation calls for two different board configurations at different times—initial and permanent phases. First, an initial 17-member board (“Initial Board”) will be responsible for organizing the district and developing an approved method(s) of operating and capital funding sufficient to assume and manage the duties, assets, and liabilities of the existing four Drainage Districts. Once a sufficient revenue structure is in place and revenue begins to be collected, the Initial Board must call for the selection of the 9-member permanent board (“District Board”) to take over the ongoing oversight of the district. Once the permanent District Board is established, and other criteria are met, it can initiate the process to dissolve the existing four Drainage Districts.
The Initial Board includes representatives of:
12 governmental entities appointed by their respective governing bodies:
The Cities of Fairview, Gresham, Portland, Troutdale, & Wood Village; Metro Multnomah County, and the Port of Portland; and
The four drainage districts that currently manage the flood safety infrastructure along the Columbia River (PEN1, PEN2, MCDD and SDIC)
5 community representatives appointed by the Governor:
One resident living within the current boundaries of the drainage districts;
One owner or representative of a business within the current boundaries of the drainage districts;
Three nonprofit organization representatives with expertise or interest related to the area within the current boundaries of the drainage districts, of which:
One must represent an environmental conservation organization; and
One must represent an environmental justice organization
To learn more about the current members of the Initial Board for the UFSWQD, visit our board members page.
The District Board will include 9 members, each serving four-year terms, including:
5 elected members:
Four individuals who are either residents, business owners, or the designee of a business owner from within the managed floodplain (to be defined by the UFSWQD board);
One resident of urban Multnomah County; and
4 members appointed by the Governor:
One representative of the Port of Portland
One individual with expertise or interest in flood safety
One individual with expertise or interest in environmental conservation
One individual with expertise or interest in environmental justice
KEY MATERIALS
Board Meeting Recordings