Commissioner Sam Adams’ office is busy circulating the city council’s proposed resolution on the Columbia River Crossing, soliciting co-sponsors from the rest of the council before the 5 pm filing deadline.

They won’t be getting Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s sponsorship. In fact, he’s “seriously considering” not supporting the resolution at all, according to his chief of staff Brendan Finn, due to concerns that the council will throw away its ability to watchdog the massive project and hold it to strong environmental standards if they give the 12-lane big bridge option a nod on July 9.

Saltzman would like to see “an independent analysis of the greenhouse gas and induced automobile travel demand forecasts for the project,” which is currently in the council’s resolution, completed before the council signs off. Right now, the council’s resolution asks for that review, but there’s no guarantee it would happen.

He’d also like to ensure that the project will reduce vehicle miles traveled–the single biggest way, according to the governor’s task force, to reduce global warming emissions–perhaps by holding the project to Kyoto Protocol standards. That’s also in the council resolution, but again, after the council votes they essentially lose their power to demand such things.

Now Saltzman just needs two other council members to join him in cranking up the pressure on this project, for the benefit of everyone. Given the growing council unease with their lack of power to oversee this huge project, I think there’s a good chance Saltzman might find the support.

UPDATE: As ambrown suggests in the comments, contact your city commissioners. Call 823-4000 to reach any of them, or email…

Mayor Tom Potter
Commissioner Sam Adams
Commissioner Randy Leonard
Commissioner Nick Fish

And don’t forget Saltzman–urge him to move from “seriously considering” to “definitely won’t support it.”

12 replies on “BREAKING: Commissioner Dan Saltzman ‘Strongly Considering’ Not Supporting Columbia River Crossing Proposal”

  2. Mercury Readers! Demand of your city council that they support Saltzman’s motion to let go of this motion. Considering that the BTA and Metro are unwilling to stand up to ODOT and a self-destructive desire for perilously expensive automobile infrastructre, maybe the city of Portland’s elected officials can stand up for the interest of its citizens and not spend $4.2 BILLION on a enormous 12 lane bridge that encourages suburban sprawl, congestion, and climate change.

    Send your council leaders an email!

    mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us
    sadams@ci.portland.or.us
    Nick@ci.portland.or.us
    randy@ci.portland.or.us

  4. An interesting question is how carbon cap and trade will roll out. Most people believe transportation will have to be measured. In that case, does Oregon or Portland get the negative credits for Washington commuters? If I was voting to expand the bridge, I would like to know that.

  6. Calls are generally more effective than emails:

    Mayor Tom Potter503-823-4120
    Commissioner Sam Adams 503-823-3008
    Commissioner Nick Fish 503-823-3589
    Commissioner Randy Leonard 503-823-4682

  7. I agree on the phone calls. I just left messages for each of the commissioners – took me less than 10 minutes total. Dan Saltzman’s number is: 503-823-4151

    Potter and Adams have Voicemail, the others have staff to take your information. Make sure to leave a way for them to confirm that they got your message (email or phone).

  9. @matt
    “YAY DAN SALTZMAN! I didn’t think I’d be saying that this year…”

    Not only did I think I’d not say it this year, I thought I’d never utter the words in my life.

    But I say it now, and I say it loud.

  10. if you feel strongly about it please come to the city council meeting and say so in person. Wed July 7th at 2pm

    thanks Ruiz for covering this issue with such vigor. I can think of no single issue that is going to have more impact on the future of the NW.

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