FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2008

For more information contact

Ashley Opsahl-Scibelli,

Communications/ Public Affairs Manager

 (360) 425-3305

aopsahl-scibelli@portoflongview.com

PORT OF LONGVIEW TO SELL ‘GREEN’ PROPERTY FOR PRESERVATION

Longview, WA- In a special meeting today, Port of Longview Commissioners unanimously voted to sell wetland property for preservation. The Port has agreed to sell a portion of its Willow Grove property to the Vancouver, Washington, based conservation group Columbia Land Trust (CLT) in a step toward becoming a ‘greener’ port.  

Originally purchased for industrial development, the Port acquired 388 acres of Willow Grove wetlands property in three separate transactions (1959, 1965, 1974).  Since purchasing the land, steepened mitigation requirements have deterred such development.  To date, the property has only been used in the mitigation of industrial developments at the Port’s main property.

CLT’s proposal calls to purchase 237 acres and transfer 75 Port-mitigated acres for $355,500. Port of Longview will retain ownership of the remaining 76 acres for future mitigation needs and also have right of first refusal to mitigation credits derived from the 237 acres sold. The Port Commission has directed staff to place funds from the sale into an account for future industrial property acquisitions.

“Our staff has worked very hard to develop this innovative approach with Columbia Land Trust, which we believe will serve as a model throughout the State for wetland preservation,” said Port of Longview Executive Director Ken O’Hollaren.

Columbia Land Trust’s mission is to conserve forever the scenic and natural values of the land and water. Founded in 1990, their impressive portfolio of more than 8,000 acres of preserved land spans 13 counties in Washington and Oregon.

“The Commission strongly considered and debated all options,” said Commission Chair Darold Dietz. “In the end, I saw this as a win for the community, who will know these wetlands will be preserved for generations to come, and a win for the Port, who can retain mitigation credits without the liability and expense of maintaining the property.”

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About the Port of Longview

The Port of Longview is the first full-service operating port with strategic transportation connections on the deep-draft Columbia River shipping channel in southwest Washington State. The Port is located just 66 river miles from the Pacific Ocean, 120 driving miles from Seattle, Washington, and 40 driving miles from Portland, Oregon. Port facilities include eight marine terminals and waterfront industrial property with direct connections to main-line rail and interstate highway. Cargo handling specialties include all types of bulk cargos and breakbulk commodities such as steel, lumber, logs, pulp, paper, project and heavy-lift cargo.