PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski spent Earth Day “inviting salmon back to the neighborhood,” along with PacifiCorp President and CEO Judi Johansen, volunteers and dignitaries at a stream restoration project at Tryon Creek State Park in Portland.

The governor took the opportunity to share how citizens can promote healthy streams and healthy fish populations throughout Oregon, either through volunteer efforts or simply by buying renewable energy from their electric utilities. About three dozen volunteers were on hand to help remove non-native vegetation from the stream banks.

“Oregon’s greatest asset is its citizens – but a close runner-up is its natural resources – and it’s going to take all Oregonians working together to ensure we partner these two assets so we can grow our economy while protecting our environment,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Today I urge all Oregonians to do your part in curbing global warming and in restoring our waterways so that we can help carry forth the legacy of those who led before us.”

Tryon Creek State Park has one of the prime salmon restoration opportunities in the Portland area. The enhancement project is reshaping a critical section of Tryon Creek to restore healthy conditions for native trout and salmon. Major funding for the Tryon Creek Restoration Project is being provided by the City of Portland and NOAA Fisheries, with contributions from PGE and Pacific Power renewable energy customers.

“This is how we will protect Oregon's natural heritage for future generations, one stream at a time,” said Russell Hoeflich, state director for The Nature Conservancy.  “The Tryon Creek project is a great example of how citizens, volunteers, private businesses and government can work together to restore healthy rivers and streams for our salmon and other wildlife.”

Tryon Creek is one of nearly a dozen Oregon stream restoration projects receiving funding through The Nature Conservancy’s Salmon Habitat Program, which is financed by contributions from customers enrolled in Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Habitat program.

“Our customers are putting their resources where their hearts are by contributing to habitat restoration programs throughout Oregon,” said Judi Johansen, president and CEO of PacifiCorp, which operates locally as Pacific Power. “For example, through their power bills, our customers are protecting coastal salmon and steelhead habitat at Circle Creek near Seaside.”

Oregonians are national leaders in renewable power purchases. According to rankings released last week by the U.S Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Power is second for total number of customers purchasing renewable power; and third for green power sales volume.

“Without healthy and thriving rivers and streams, we cannot truly be a healthy and thriving community,” said Portland City Councilor Sam Adams. “Restoring the salmon to Oregon waters restores an essential piece of ourselves.”

At Tryon Creek, the City of Portland is providing project design and management. The Friends of Tryon Creek, the Tryon Creek Watershed Council and Oregon State Parks are providing local support, coordination and volunteer management.

The Friends of Tryon Creek State Park launched their campaign to save this wonderful natural area from development on the first Earth Day in 1970.  “For the past 35 years the Friends have worked to coordinate the volunteer activities to protect habitat and restore the park,” said Stephanie Wagner, executive director, Friends of Tryon Creek State Park.  “We are pleased to be able to work with all of the partners on the restoration project to bring the salmon back to the creek.”

“Restoring native populations of anadromous fish is among NOAA's highest priorities, and we take pride in the unique partnership that is focused on restoring and preserving the health of Tryon Creek and its watershed,” said Bob Lohn, Northwest Regional Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service. “This project demonstrates what can happen when we empower local communities to be good stewards of their watersheds.”

Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, as a nationwide grassroots demonstration of support for a healthy environment.

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