After 12 years of diligent work, the Port of Vancouver USA and Columbia River Alliance for Nurturing the Environment have come to agreement on the future of more than 1,000 acres of port property in the Columbia River lowlands.

Under the agreement, the port will transfer 540 acres adjacent to its Columbia Gateway property to Columbia Land Trust. The Land Trust, a Vancouver, Washington-based conservation organization, will manage the property in perpetuity as a vital feeding, foraging and resting site for endangered sandhill cranes and other migratory species.

Once the land transfer is complete, the port will provide the Land Trust with $2 million in funding for initial restoration efforts and $5.5 million for long-term stewardship.

This agreement allows for future development of 450 heavy-industrial acres at the port’s Columbia Gateway property. Located next to the port’s rail-served Terminal 5 and the 43-foot-deep Columbia River shipping channel, Columbia Gateway offers many possibilities for products ranging from dry and liquid bulks to automobiles and project cargoes, such as heavy equipment and wind energy components.

About Columbia Land Trust

Founded in 1990, Columbia Land Trust conserves and cares for the vital lands, waters and wildlife of the Columbia River region through sound science and strong relationships. With the support of 3,000 members, the Land Trust has conserved more than 28,000 acres of land in 14 counties along the Columbia River, from the John Day River near The Dalles to the Pacific Ocean.