From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Please share with your networks!

Hello everyone! Below please find information about upcoming Portland Harbor-related meetings and other relevant updates:

1. *Tuesday, September 6 – No RSVP Needed* September 6 Virtual Willamette River Advocacy Group (WRAG) Meeting, 5-7pm (Pacific):  Please feel free to join the WRAG’s virtual September meeting that will include a presentation by EPA on its review of the WRAG technical advisor’s comments on the draft Willamette Cove In-Water Supplemental Preliminary Design Investigation Workplan. Please read below for more information!

1. *Wednesday, September 14 – No RSVP Needed* Virtual Portland Harbor Collaborative, 5-7pm (Pacific):  Everyone is welcome to observe the next Portland Harbor Collaborative meeting via Triangle’s Zoom link on Wednesday, September 14! Please read below for more information.

1. Updates from EPA’s Environmental Justice Work

Please read below for more information about these items:

1. *Tuesday, September 6 – No RSVP Needed* September 6 Virtual Willamette River Advocacy Group (WRAG) Meeting, 5-7pm (Pacific)

The WRAG is the recipient of EPA’s technical assistance grant (or TAG) so that they may hire an independent technical advisor to interpret and explain technical aspects of site reports, decisions, and operations generated during a site cleanup. Please read below for more information about the WRAG’s September meeting.

Date:  Tuesday, September 6^th 2022

Time:  5-7pm (Pacific)

Location:  Online only (please see information below)

How do I Connect to the Online Meeting? Please enter the meeting room at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9624158974

If prompted, please enter Meeting ID 962 415 8974

• Having problems signing in? Please e-mail [email protected] 

Topics:  The September 6 WRAG meeting will include a presentation by EPA on its review of the WRAG technical advisor’s comments on the draft Willamette Cove In-Water Supplemental Preliminary Design Investigation Workplan. The WRAG may cover additional topics during the meeting (some may be specific to the WRAG board).

Questions about the Portland Harbor WRAG? Want to Join the WRAG? Please visit the Portland Harbor WRAG website (https://wragpdx.wordpress.com/) or contact the WRAG at [email protected] for more information!

2. *Wednesday, September 14 – No RSVP Needed* Virtual Portland Harbor Collaborative, 5-7pm (Pacific)

Everyone is welcome to observe the next quarterly Portland Harbor Collaborative meeting!

Date:  Wednesday, September 14^th 2022

Time:  5:00 – 7:00pm Pacific (with optional sections between 4:30-5pm and 7-8pm)

Agenda Outline: The following agenda outline is subject to change. A final agenda will be posted on EPA’s Portland Harbor website. 

• 4:30-5pm: Optional Meet and Greet for Collaborative Members
• 5-5:20pm: Opening, Acknowledgments, and Community Member Storytelling
• 5:20-5:40pm: Agenda, Introductions and Updates
  • EPA General Updates
  • Willamette Cove Update
• 5:40-6:35pm: Topic Spotlight: Portland Harbor Superfund Site Funding “Who Pays for What?”
• 6:35-7pm: Adopting the Collaborative Group Charter in Principle
• 7-8pm: Optional Breakout Rooms (members and observers invited). If requested, a ‘Superfund and Portland Harbor 101’ will take place in the main meeting room during this breakout session.
  • Overall Site & Project Area Updates: For those who want to hear status updates for all project areas and overall site work.
  • Main Presentation (continued from main meeting): For those who want additional information on PHSS funding.
  • Willamette Cove Update (continued from main meeting): For those who want to learn more and ask questions about the Willamette Cove cleanup.
  • Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council: For those who want to learn about the Trustee Council’s recreation planning process.

How do I Join the Online-Only Event? Please enter the virtual room at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85022368572

• If prompted, please enter Meeting ID 850 2236 8572  
•  If clicking the link above does not work or you have any audio issues, please feel free to join the meeting on the phone by using the following information:

• Call Number: 719 359 4580 | Code:  850 2236 8572
• Or use One tap mobile:  +17193594580,85022368572#

• Having problems signing in? Please contact Lucila Gambino at 786-246-0637.
• Test your system and connections online in advance at https://zoom.us/test to ensure that you will be able to join us online!

Captioning & Translation:  Live closed captioning will be provided in English. Please let Lucila know ([email protected], 786-246-0637) if you or someone you know who might be attending needs any translation services.

Disclaimer on Recording: Please be aware that when you join the Zoom meeting, your name and/or video may be displayed to other meeting participants and captured in the meeting recording. The meeting sections will be recorded and posted to the Portland Harbor Collaborative Group YouTube Page. By joining the Zoom meeting, you are consenting to the recording and dissemination of the recording as noted above. If you would prefer not to share your name and/or video, please email [email protected].

Participation for Members vs. Observers (Public):  Please note that while everyone is welcome to attend this meeting, participation will be focused on Collaborative members. As an observer (public), you will be viewing the meeting with Collaborative members in Triangle’s Zoom room. We invite you to participate by observing the meeting among the members from 5-7 pm and joining the breakout groups between 7-8 pm. If you have questions during the 5-7 pm portion, please hold them until we move to the breakout groups where questions from observers will be addressed.

• If you are interested in becoming a Collaborative member, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call Triangle Associates at 503-522-0091. You may also review the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods Hey Neighbor! Winter 2021 article and the most recent draft Charter document, both developed in collaboration with Portland-area community leaders and members.

Do You Have Limited Internet Access? Need Language Interpretation?

• Please let Lucila know ([email protected], 786-246-0637) if you or someone you know has limited Internet access or may need language interpretation.  

3. Updates from EPA’s Environmental Justice Work

Please read below for updates on EPA’s Environmental Justice work, including:

• (Nominations due September 20, 2022) Request for Nominations for the Science Advisory Board Environmental Justice Screen (EJScreen) Review Panel. Nominations should be submitted (if possible) using the online nomination form on the Science Advisory Board website. Please see the 8/30/2022 Federal Register Notice for more information.
• (Reminder - Application Deadline October 4, 2022) EPA Announces Initial Availability of $11 Million for Technical Assistance Centers to Support Underserved Communities
• (Reminder) EPA launched EJScreen 2.0 and the White House Council on Environmental Quality released its Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST)
• (Reminder) Upcoming National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Calls (registration is highly suggested and the next call is Tuesday, September 20^th from 11am – 1pm Pacific//2pm – 4pm Eastern)

Want up-to-date information about Environmental Justice funding opportunities, events, and webinars? Please consider following us on Twitter (@EPAEnvJustice) or subscribing to EPA's Environmental Justice listserv by sending a blank email to: [email protected]

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If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns about the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, please contact Laura Knudsen ([email protected], 206-553-1838) or visit EPA’s Portland Harbor Superfund Site webpage at www.epa.gov/superfund/portland-harbor.