would be effected by the closure.
(Photo © J. Maus)
A project to enhance and improve the 170-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge could close a popular section of the Springwater Corridor Trail for up to four months next summer. This closure is separate from the re-paving project that will come with intermittent closures through this summer starting next month.
Portland Parks & Recreation and the Bureau of Environmental Services say their Oaks Bottom Habitat Enhancement Project is 60% designed. Among the plan of the project are to enhance fish passage in and out of the river by replacing an existing culvert, remove invasive vegetation and add educational signage about the wetlands along the Springwater Trail.
Anne Nelson with BES says the trail closure is necessary because equipment to do the work must be transported on it. Here’s more from Nelson:
“The trail closure is for up to 4 months, because in addition to the work directly below the trail, the equipment for the work described above all require the equipment to be moved along the trail to access the site. Unfortunately, summer is the “fish window” for in-water work. This is the only time we are able to do this in work in compliance with our permitting agencies.”
Check the map below for a map that shows the section of trail that will be closed:
We’ll keep you posted on detour information as it’s released.
The City has scheduled an open house on the project for Tuesday, April 6th from 6-8:00pm at SMILE Station (8210 SE 13th). More information at the official project page.