Defending Forest Park

last updated June 12, 2025

New case filed! Crag is helping three environmental groups defend Forest Park from PGE’s Harborton Reliability Project. Photo of Juvenile Northern Pygmy-Owls in Forest Park by Scott Carpenter.

Crag supports environmental groups defending the City of Portland’s decision to deny PGE’s proposed energy project in Forest Park

New case filed! On June 12, 2025, Crag filed a motion to join the City of Portland in defending its decision to deny Portland General Electric’s (PGE) “Harborton Reliability Project” in Forest Park. Our clients are Bird Alliance of Oregon, Forest Park Neighborhood Association, and Forest Park Conservancy, and we are representing them to help protect the ecology, wildlife, and stewardship of Forest Park.

What is PGE’s Harborton Reliability Project? 

PGE’s proposed plan to update one transmission line and build an entirely new transmission line would cut 4.7 acres of trees, fill two wetlands, and irreparably impact streams and wildlife in Forest Park. The Portland City Council denied the project after finding that it was in clear violation of the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan, which prioritizes the health of the park. 

The current proposal is phase 3 of a multiphase project, with at least 2 more phases planned – which means that additional habitat would be impacted if this phase is allowed to be routed through the park. According to PGE, Phase 5 of this project may impact another 15 acres of Forest Park to the northwest and west, potentially disrupting the Miller Creek watershed that contains salmon habitat.

What’s at Stake

Remove ancient forest groves

This secluded area of Forest Park includes two seasonal streams, a diverse native understory, and douglas fir, bigleaf maple, and white oak trees, all estimated to be more than 150 years old.

Destroy Wildlife Habitat

The northern area of Forest Park is also home to over 200 species, including the northern red-legged frog, which the City listed as an At-Risk species, one of the most vulnerable species to prioritize for protection, conservation, and restoration.

Crag attorney Brenna Bell standing next to an ancient tree marked for removal. Photo by Megan Gleason. Photo of at-risk northern red legged frog by James Abbot via Flickr. License bit.ly/3AqNVyD.

Community Involvement

More than 3,000 Portlanders have submitted comments or testified in opposition to the project, expressing their love for Forest Park and their concerns about the impacts of this project despite viable alternatives to it.

Set a Dangerous Precedent

As the City Council found, this project is not compatible with the standards in the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan. Under the plan, non-park construction is not allowed in the park unless no alternatives exist. Notably, PGE itself commissioned an independent analysis that found at least 2 alternative routes for its project located primarily outside of the park. The City Council thus correctly found that the project could not be approved. Failing to uphold these central protections for Forest Park would weaken the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan, setting a dangerous precedent for future park development.

Forest Park is home to a diverse range of native plants, including these native Trillium flowers. Photos by Megan Gleason and Eric Wriston.

Background

In July 2022, PGE’s Phase 3 proposal to cut 4.7 acres of trees in this northern stretch of Forest Park was made public. On March 7, 2025 a City of Portland Hearing’s Officer approved PGE’s application. However, community groups rallied and asked the City Council to review the decision.

Neighbors and local environmental groups including Bird Alliance of Oregon, the Forest Park Conservancy and Forest Park Neighborhood Association organized to defend the park. Advocates submitted more than 3,000 comments against the plan, and over 300 people rallied outside City Hall before an important City Council meeting on April 17.

More than 300 people rallied outside City Hall in defense of Forest Park on April 17. Photo by Sierra Club Oregon.

Before the hearing, City staff reviewed the facts and prepared a report. The staff report recommended that PGE’s plan failed to meet the required approval criteria in the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan. The number one Conservation Goal of the plan is to preserve the ecology of the area to “grow an ancient forest for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.” Accordingly, City staff expressed skepticism that PGE’s plan to cut nearly 400 trees, disturb soil and ground covers, impact riparian zones, and broadly alter ecosystem functions could align with the goals of the Natural Resources management plan.

On May 7, 2025, in a big win for communities and wildlife, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to deny PGE’s application to remove trees from Forest Park. However, Portland General Electric is appealing the decision. Now, the City of Portland must defend its decision in front of the Land Use Board of Appeals. On behalf of our clients, Crag filed a motion to intervene to join the City of Portland and defend this important decision.

Looking Ahead

We will present our case to the Land Use Board of Appeals once oral arguments have been scheduled. We’ll share the link to watch the live streamed hearing so you can watch along!

Our Clients

As a nonprofit, it’s thanks to your support that we can represent our clients for free on important community cases like this. Together, we will continue to defend our ecosystems, climate, and communities!

We are proud to represent our clients:

• • Bird Alliance of Oregon is a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire all people to love and protect birds, wildlife, and the natural environment upon which life depends.
  • Forest Park Neighborhood Association is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health, sustainability, and well-being of Forest Park and its surrounding community.
  • Forest Park Conservancy is a nonprofit whose mission is focused on protecting Forest Park’s ecological health, maintaining trails, restoring native habitat, and inspiring community appreciation and future stewardship for generations to come.

Resources

Interested in learning more? Check out the resources below.

• • Learn more about the history of Forest Park, how PGE’s proposal impacts it, and how to advocate for it by watching Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Nature Night Zoom Meeting recording
  • Read Forest Park Conservancy’s article on the proposal 
  • Read the Forest Park Neighborhood Association’s blog post
  • Read this Oregonian article on the city’s recommendation to deny PGE’s proposal
  • Read Sierra Club’s article about the City Council’s May 7 decision to deny PGE’s application
  • You can find PGE’s full proposal under the Resources tab on their website
  • Read through the Forest Park Natural Resource Management Plan