< Back to index

Response to editor emeritus Tom Koenninger's article titled, "Lowlands: Endangered Urban Oasis" in the
Wednesday, July 21, 2004 issue.

by Larry Paulson

The recent editorial by Tom Koenninger, editor emeritus of The Columbian, likened the issue of industrial development in the Vancouver Lowlands to "a new version of the boiled frog story." Fortunately, there are many frogs left in the vast Lowlands.

The Habitek Consortium in the mid-80s struck a balance for the development of the Lowlands, setting aside about 13,000 acres for preservation. In the spirit of collaboration, the Port of Vancouver sold the 520-acre Ridgeport Dairy for the expansion of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.

Much of the 1,074-acre Columbia Gateway property was later purchased in the early 1990s for future expansion, consistent with the land use zoning determined by Habitek. Last year, 540 industrial acres of Columbia Gateway, north of the Vancouver Lake Flushing Channel, was further set aside for habitat and wildlife protection. Today, only 534 acres at Columbia Gateway remain for development south of the flushing channel. The flushing channel has now become the defining line where port industrial development stops.

Recently, the Port of Vancouver purchased the 265-acre Rufener farm property, south of the flushing channel and.north of the Port of Vancouver across Lower River Road (SR 501). This property also lies next to the future site of a construction debris landfill. Prior to any Port negotiations, the Rufener family had started a process to develop this property. Only 58 acres are zoned industrial, and the port already has begun discussions with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for the best use of the remaining agriculture-zoned acres.

The Port's mission of economic development is translated by the Port of Vancouver Commissioners to mean jobs for our community. The Port is near 100% occupancy for our operating industrial lands. A significant need exists within our community for industrial property to create family wage jobs necessary to provide future opportunities for our children and grandchildren.

Mr. Koenninger's passion for the preservation of the Lowlands is clear - the Lowlands is a valuable asset for our community. And the vast majority of the Lowlands remains, and will continue to remain, preserved into the future. In fact, there are more protected acres set aside right now than one year ago.

We agree that our citizens need to get involved - the Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership is currently enlisting local residents to serve on a taskforce that will focus on the opportunities and challenges facing Vancouver Lake and its tributaries. As a leader of this process, the Port has already committed financial resources to dredge the flushing channel, if necessary, to help provide better water flow into the Lake.

The Port has worked beside many citizens and agencies to conserve the Lowlands. We, at the Port of Vancouver, will continue to share that vigilance as we strive to achieve a balance between the protecting nature and providing jobs for our community.