Zidell River Clean Up Permit Gets Green Light From NOAA Fisheries

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A letter from William Stelle, Jr. – the Regional Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service – has cleared the way for one of the region's most complex and significant clean up/remediation projects along the Willamette River.

The letter, known as a Biological Opinion [https://pcts.nmfs.noaa.gov/pls/pcts-pub/biop_results_detail?reg_inclause_in=('NWR')&idin=122048], provides the scientific evidence to the Army Corps of Engineers and the public that the cleanup of in-water and riverbank contamination on the properties of ZRZ Realty Company can proceed in a safe manner that will result in the protection of human health, critical river habitat and endangered/listed species of salmon and steelhead.

"We are extremely pleased that the hard work we have undertaken to plan for a cleanup that will improve the health of our cherished Willamette River has received this strong endorsement from the agencies that are the strictest guardians of the health of sensitive habitat and salmon species," said Jay Zidell, President of ZRZ Companies.  "Once we receive our permit for work to begin this summer, we will be coordinating our in-water work with TriMet and their important new bridge for the Portland Milwaukie Light Rail Project – the smooth integration of these two major projects will ensure the best results for the Willamette River ecosystem and save money for the public by doing the work right, one time."

The Biological Opinion from Will Stelle concludes that the clean up action "is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of Lower Columbia River Salmon, Chinook salmon" [and other listed species] ...and will not result in "the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat"...for certain salmon and steelhead species.

"This is the green-light we have been working toward, these many months," said Paul Fishman, who is the project leader for the Zidell environmental cleanup projects. "Last year we successfully completed the remediation of uplands "hot spots" in compliance with all applicable city, state and federal regulatory requirements... now we can begin work on a project that means so much to our community because it will achieve the environmental goals and aspirations of so many -- public agencies, river users and ZRZ -- for a healthier Willamette River," added Fishman.

SOURCE ZRZ Companies