neighbors unify in opposition to solid waste along the fanno creek trail:
The Portland Golf Club (PGC) has a pond on their property, it is important to them for aesthetics, also because they store their free water in it to irrigate their course. They receive water from both Fanno Creek and Woods Creek, year round.
The pond has filled with sludge, and the PGC wants to dredge the pond, to store more water. The PGC owns the piece of property just south of their course, right along the Fanno Creek Trail (referred to as the Pinger Property). This property is zoned residential, it has a wetland on it and it is in very close proximity to Fanno Creek.
In Fall 2021, PGC proposed clearing a large portion of the Pinger Property, & putting the removed dredge tailings right next to the wetland for ~ a year while they "de-water." After a period of time the bags will be moved to a landfill.
Testing of the dredge reveals contaminants: BOTH golf balls AND high levels of zinc, copper & lead. As such, it is classified by DEQ as solid waste.
Concerns by neighbors are multiple: threats to wildlife, and to foliage, threats to the wetland, contamination onto the trail and Fanno Creek, leakage of the solid waste during the moving process, heavy equipment up and down streets and across the trail, smell and noise, not to mention the fact that this is a residentially zoned piece of property and as such, solid waste/landfill is not allowed.
where do things stand with the permit process?
Washington County Land Use & Transportation (LUT) states there is no provision in the Washington County Code that allows the disposal or temporary storage of toxic sludge on R-5 residential land — especially material now designated as solid waste by DEQ. LUT told the golf club that to move forward in (this) process, a new Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) would be required from Washington County. Washington County would not be able to issue a LUCS for this use because the County does not allow the storage of solid waste in the R-5 zone for any duration.
Clean Water Services originally gave a "thumbs up" to the golf club (Service Provider Letter & Erosion Control Permit) BUT since the golf club is unable to get a LUCS through Washington County, CWS has said "issuance of the Service Provider Letter has been put on hold."
Department of State Lands (DSL) approved the golf club's application on October 3, this approval is good until 10/3/26.
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) granted Nationwide Permits #16 & #33 in September 2025, read here.
DEQ has two different permitting processes: water and solid materials. DEQ granted the 401 water quality certificate 9/25, as water testing came out "clean." DEQ Materials Management has not permitted the project, as the contaminated dredge is solid waste. However, since the golf club cannot get a County LUCS permit, DEQ has issued a Warning Letter, stating "any work conducted on the project without an updated LUCS approved by Washington County & submitted to DEQ for verification would constitute a violation of Oregon environmental law."
ODFW has expressed their concerns that the proposed project will have negative short-term impacts and the potential exists for long-term impacts as well, but as ODFW is not a permitting agency, they simply state their concerns to DSL read here.
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.
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.