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.
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.
STatus of permitting process (as of february 2026):
Washington County Land Use & Transportation (LUT) states there is no provision in the Washington County Code that allows for the disposal or temporary storage of dredged material classified as solid waste on land zoned R-5 residential. LUT advised PGC that proceeding with the proposed activity would require a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) issued by Washington County. LUT further stated that a LUCS cannot be issued for this use, as the County does not permit the storage of solid waste in the R-5 residential zone for any duration.
Clean Water Services (CWS) initially issued a Service Provider Letter and an Erosion Control Permit for the project, However, CWS has since stated that issuance of the Service Provider Letter has been placed on hold due to PGC’s inability to obtain a LUCS from Washington County.
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) approved the golf club’s application on October 3, with the approval valid through October 3, 2026.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued Nationwide Permits No. 16 and No. 33 in September 2025. read here.
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 on September 25, based on water quality testing results indicating no exceedances. DEQ’s Materials Management program has not issued a permit for the project, as the dredged material is classified as solid waste. In addition, due to the golf club’s inability to obtain a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) from Washington County, DEQ issued a Warning Letter stating that any work conducted on the project without an updated LUCS approved by Washington County and submitted to DEQ for verification would constitute a violation of Oregon environmental law.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has communicated concerns 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.