Some neighbors have been asking about the fire risk reduction efforts on the bluff along the western edge of Overlook.
Here is an update from the city:
The FEMA funding that was specific to wildfire reduction work has concluded. buy kamagraThe City however plans to continue managing all of the existing sites on the bluff’ that we we weed been active on during the FEMA funded push. The focus may shift somewhat to a greater emphasis on noxious weed reduction and improving slope stability than just fire reduction. The overall approach and results should remain the same.
Recent work has included an early herbicide treatment to Mock’s Crest Bluff, the portion of the bluff that runs from Rosa Parks to UP. Poison hemlock has been a problem along this section and we really got on it early this year. There has been a series of slides along this section of the bluff this year as well, it has been a wet year and we’ve had several big rain events. Our group has seeded and applied a soil tackifier to these slides as they have occurred.
Last winter we planted another section of the University of Portland’s bluff and started the initial site preparation for the lower bank between the river and the RR tracks, this area will be seeded this fall and then planted the following year. We have also been actively treating the recent plantings, including two sections just south of Rosa Parks ave, a planting at the north end of Overlook Park and plantings at the base of the bluff below Overlook House and the planting of the open burn area at the end of Skidmore Terrace, poison hemlock and scotch broom were treated there as well..
We will start our summer herbicide treatments later this month and into July. Overall the reduction of noxious weeds has gone well but we are trying to make sure some of the existing challenges such as clematis and poison hemlock are further reduced and that some of our newer weed challenges like poke week, arum, and garlic mustard are successfully controlled.
If you have questions about the bluff fire risk or any of the steps being taken to control vegetation there, please contact OKNA board member Steve Lanigan via info@ OverlookNeighborhood.org