Washington County Land Use & Transportation gives the go-ahead to the golf club~
In October 2025, Land Use & Transportation said county development code did not allow storage of solid waste on residentially or institutionally zoned land, even for a single day. Then in June 2026 they changed their mind, and stated that "The proposed activities do not constitute a landfill or disposal of solid waste on the subject site." Read the full decision here.
We appealed and the Hearing Officer denied our appeal on August 3 (to read the full Hearing Officer decision, click here)
We have been fighting this project since fall 2021, and will continue to fight. We write letters, we contact agencies, we bring awareness to folks whose neighborhoods will suffer, along with the ecosystem & wildlife.
Join us.
*follow us on Instagram @savewetland
STatus of permitting process (as of october 2026):
Washington County Land Use & Transportation (LUT) & the Appeals Hearing Officer have now ruled that temporary storage of solid waste complies with the Community Development Code (CDC). LUT now calls this "temporary storage" a "maintenance activity" for the golf club. What is before the County right now is the Grading Permit (submitted August 2026). Based on that application, the County may ask the golf club to re-apply for their floodplain permit (previously issued in 2023, before the contents of the dredge were known, you can read it here). The Grading Permit is officially at the "Current Planning Review" step.
Clean Water Services (CWS) has re-issued the Service Provider Letter to the golf club. Next in line is the Site Development Permit/Erosion Control Permit. CWS has asked questions of the golf club, answers are pending so permits have not been issued yet.
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) approved the golf club’s application last year, with the initial approval valid through October 2026, however that permitting has recently been renewed through October 3, 2027. You can read DSL's 8 page Authorization Letter right here.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued Nationwide Permits (NWP) No. 16 and No. 33 in September 2025. read here. The NWP stated that the proposed work needed to be completed by March 2026 OR the golf club needed to be under contract with a company to complete the work. It is unclear if such a contract was signed/exists.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers separate permitting processes for water quality and solid materials. DEQ issued a Section 401 Water Quality Certification based on water quality testing results indicating no exceedances. DEQ’s Materials Management has stated that, although the dredged material is "solid waste," per their own guidelines, it is a "low-risk activity," and as such, DEQ Materials Management will NOT ask for the golf club to apply for a Solid Waste Letter of Authorization, (SWLA), rather Materials Management will just "work with the Water Quality Department to ensure the sediment is removed when the dewatering is complete."
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has communicated that the proposed project may result in negative short-term impacts and could present potential long-term impacts. As ODFW is not a permitting agency for this project, it provided these comments to DSL for consideration. However, ODFW has "preferred in-water work periods," meaning when work can happen in or around Woods & Fanno Creeks. The preferred in-water work period is July 15-->September 30.
neighbors unite in opposition to solid waste along the fanno creek trail:
The Portland Golf Club (PGC) maintains a pond on its property that serves both aesthetic and irrigation purposes, storing water used to irrigate its course. PGC receives free, year-round water from Fanno Creek and Woods Creek.
The pond has accumulated sediment and sludge over time, reducing its storage capacity. PGC wants to dredge the pond to increase its free water storage. PGC also owns a parcel of land located south of the golf course along the Fanno Creek Trail, known as the Pinger Property. This parcel is zoned R-5 residential, includes a wetland area, and is located in very close proximity to Fanno Creek.
In fall 2021, the Portland Golf Club (PGC) proposed clearing a large portion of the Pinger Property and storing the dredged material from its pond next to the wetland for an estimated period of one year to allow for dewatering. Following the dewatering period, the material would be transported off-site for disposal at a permitted landfill.
Analytical testing of the dredged material identified the presence of golf balls and elevated concentrations of zinc, copper, and lead. Based on the test results, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) determined the material to be regulated as solid waste and therefore it cannot be stored, even temporarily, on land zoned R-5 residential.
Nearby residents and other users of the Fanno Creek Trail have raised several concerns, including potential impacts to wildlife and vegetation; risks to the wetland; the possibility of contamination affecting the Fanno Creek Trail and Fanno Creek; the potential for leakage of regulated solid waste during handling and transport; increased use of heavy equipment on local streets and across the trail; and associated noise and odor.
Neighbors for Wetland Preservation
who we are
Our history
Our history
We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit.
We are committed to Fanno Creek, beautiful old growth trees, healthy wetlands and wildlife habitat.
Our focus is the greenspace & the wetland alongside the Fanno Creek Trail in Garden Home.
Follow us on Instagram! Find us @ savewetland
Our history
Our history
Our history
Portland Golf Club (PGC) lies in Washington County, Oregon, Fanno & Woods Creeks run through their property. They have water rights to the Creek, dating back to the 1920's.
In 2021 PGC made public their intent to dredge the pond, pumping water & dredge to the southern portion of their property, immediately adjacent to the Fanno Creek Tr
Portland Golf Club (PGC) lies in Washington County, Oregon, Fanno & Woods Creeks run through their property. They have water rights to the Creek, dating back to the 1920's.
In 2021 PGC made public their intent to dredge the pond, pumping water & dredge to the southern portion of their property, immediately adjacent to the Fanno Creek Trail. The dredge tailings would be left in bags adjacent to the wetland. They estimate the equivalent of 500 dump trucks of dredge tailings would be permanently placed next to the wetland.
This will destroy the wetland, eliminate wildlife habitat, create an eyesore, alter storm water flow and potentially contaminate Fanno Creek.
As a result, neighbors organized to provide a unified voice in opposition, requesting we work together with the PGC toward environmentally sound solutions.
Our goals
Our history
Our goals
The Portland Golf Club accepts the role of leaders in ecosystem preservation and sustainability within the golf club world. To do this, we ask the following:
- They care for and preserve Wetland A on the Pinger Property. In order to achieve this, they should not clear the property, they should not place dredge on the property. They should
The Portland Golf Club accepts the role of leaders in ecosystem preservation and sustainability within the golf club world. To do this, we ask the following:
- They care for and preserve Wetland A on the Pinger Property. In order to achieve this, they should not clear the property, they should not place dredge on the property. They should foster native growth and remove invasive species in order to maximize functionality of the wetland and the watershed.
- Stream restoration, of both Fanno Creek and Woods Creek, at the points they enter & exit the property. Make real efforts to slow peak water flows which can be erosive. This will foster native wildlife and fish, particularly cutthroat trout.
- Public and community organizations work side-by-side with PGC to remove non-native, invasive species (English Ivy) which threatens old growth trees.