Portland Water Bureau's Bull Run treatment plant faces another legal setback
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The Portland Water Bureau's $2 billion treatment plant to filter Bull Run water hit a legal snag this week after a state agency overturned a key permit required for the project.
According to a ruling issued Wednesday by Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), Multnomah County officials failed to determine whether the massive facility located near Boring would adversely impact the rural area's natural resources when it granted the city a conditional land-use permit in late 2023.
The decision is a win for nearby residents and businesses in East Gresham who appealed the county's decision of the permit.
"We're not making more land, it's a big blow to it," said Jesse Nelson with the Oregon Association of Nurseries. "And it's impacting a whole lot of nurseries out here"
The agency ordered the conditional land-use application back to Multnomah County for further review.
Meanwhile, the City of Portland stated they were reviewing the decision and "evaluating options for moving forward." Additionally, hoping to complete the facility and begin delivering the filtered water by September 2027.
“With construction underway, keeping momentum on the project is our best opportunity to achieve the compliance deadline and control against rising costs," added Water Bureau Chief Engineer Jodie Inman. "We will continue to look at ways to provide the best value for our ratepayers and maximize the public health benefits our customers will receive from the new facilities."
The city has 21 days to challenge LUBA's ruling.