News from the Friends

11/7/07 KGW TV
Reservoir protection ruling could cost city $500 million

06:07 PM PST on Wednesday, November 7, 2007

By RANDY NEVES, kgw.com

A federal court says Portland must protect its drinking water from a harmful parasite. The financial cost could reach up to $500 million.

Neighbors of the reservoirs at Mt. Tabor are bracing for the worst after a federal court ruled the threat of the parasite called cryptosporidium leaves Portland's open air water supply vulnerable.

“I think Portland should not stand down. I think if the case would've been argued on scientific merit it would've won,” said Cascade Anderson Geller, a leader with the group Friends of the Reservoirs.

http://www.kgw.com/environment/stories/kgw_110707_news_reservoir_water.1eaedfc67.html

October 27, 2004
The Friends of the Reservoirs won the case challenging the City of Portland in court for issuing Revenue Bonds without proper public notification. This victory provides important protection for all citizens who wish to challenge Revenue Bond spending on public projects that are unwarranted and unpopular.

September 22, 2004
Mt. Tabor Park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Read more about this recognition of the historic significance of our beloved Mt. Tabor Park.

January 23, 2004
Five reservoirs are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Read more about this recognition of the historic significance of our reservoirs.

The Reservoirs in the News

October 29, 2004
Portland Tribune
Judge slaps council in bond-sales ruling
City commissioners must specify what projects will be funded

September 17, 2004
The Oregonian
Latest wrinkle in reservoirs cover-up plays out on eBay
Portland's Water Bureau puts its custom-made reservoir covers on eBay, then halts the sale

September 17, 2004
Portland Tribune
Can city bail on eBay sale?
Reservoir covers, equipment bought for $425,000 go for $23,200 on auction site

July 20, 2004
Portland Tribune
$4 million down the drain?
Plan to cover reservoirs stalls, but city money flows

July 12, 2004
The Oregonian
City's good at flushing money down the drain
Commentary by Renee Mitchell

June 22, 2004
Portland Tribune
Activist's secret? Words, words, words
Reservoir ally does her homework -- and tells the world

June 14, 2004
The Oregonian
When 'Mr. We' speaks, read between lines
Commentary by Renee Mitchell

June 9, 2004
The Oregonian
City backs off reservoir burial
Commissioner Dan Saltzman cites the work of a panel that studied the controversial post-9/11 proposal for Mount Tabor

June 8, 2004
Portland Tribune
Panel floats two ideas for city reservoirs
Citizen group reaches split decision on how to protect Mount Tabor water supply

June 2004
Portland Alliance, by Dave Mazza,
member of the Independent Review Panel
Panel votes not to bury reservoir

May 20, 2004
The Oregonian
Water Bureau presents case to raise sewer, water charges
Business users tell the Portland City Council they can't support increases to already high existing rates

May 17, 2004
The Oregonian
Council must distill answers
What did an independent panel learn, peering for weeks into Mount Tabor's reservoirs? Well, it's complicated

May 12, 2004
The Oregonian
Panel advises no covers for reservoirs
The vote of a citizens group considering security for the Mount Tabor landmarks is not unanimous, however

March 19, 2004
The Oregonian
Reservoirs run risk of vandalism, report says
A consultant tells a review panel that terrorism is not the greatest threat to Portland's reservoirs

December 23, 2003
Portland Tribune
Saltzman selects reservoir committee
Thirteen people will weigh pros and cons of security measures

December 23, 2003
The Oregonian
Panel will examine keeping water safe

December 22, 2003
The Oregonian
Water bureau reconsiders treatment proposal

December 18, 2003
Portland Tribune
Saltzman appoints panel to study reservoir decision

November 18, 2003
KATU, commentary by Ron Saxton
Capping Mt. Tabor a ridiculous proposition
"Like a lot of programs promoted in the name of homeland security, this one does not withstand scrutiny."

November 14, 2003
Portland Tribune, commentary by Phil Stanford
"How come the only people who seem to be in favor of [burying the reservoirs] are the five members of the City Council, the water bureau, and a consulting firm that stands to make millions on the deal?"

November 6, 2003
The Oregonian
Bonds contested in Mount Tabor battle

November 5, 2003
OPB
Reservoir 'Friends' Fighting City On Three Fronts

November 4, 2003
Portland Tribune
Reservoir tug of war may stop at the wallet

November 4, 2003
Portland Tribune, commentary by Phil Stanford
Forget it Jake, it's just P-town
"There are those who will tell you that Montgomery Watson -- which is, of course, a for-profit organization, whose every incentive is to dream up moneymaking ventures to be financed by the city of Portland -- effectively runs the Portland Water Bureau. Whether or not this is so, it is a fact that Montgomery Watson is the firm that provided the water bureau with the study that recommended covering the reservoirs. As it also happens, it is the firm that is currently engaged to conduct a $5.89 million design study for the project. And unless something goes seriously awry, Montgomery Watson will be in an excellent position to nail down the eventual construction contract for this multimillion-dollar boondoggle."

October 30, 2003
Press Release from the Friends of the Reservoirs
Local Citizens' Court Action Reveals City Bonding Boondoggle. The City is responding to a suit brought by the Friends of the Reservoirs and other complainants meant to stop the sale of revenue bonds partially intended for the destruction of the historic reservoirs at Mt. Tabor and Washington Parks. Trial is set for 9:30 a.m. November 5, 2003 before Judge Litzenberger, Circuit Court, Multnomah County Courthouse, 1021 S.W. 4th Ave., Portland, Oregon.

October 10, 2003
Portland Tribune
Reservoir activists keep making waves

October 2, 2003
The Oregonian
Council votes to cover Mt. Tabor reservoirs

October 2, 2003
The Oregonian
Leonard, activists clash over vision for participation

September 30, 2003
Portland Tribune
Reservoir protesters rally (scroll down the page)

September 30, 2003
Portland Tribune, Letter to the Editor
Burying reservoirs will sink us

September 29, 2003
Portland Indymedia
Seven-minute video of the rally, including an interview with Cascade Anderson Geller (scroll down the page)

September 29, 2003
The Oregonian
Protesters at reservoir want ponds unburied

September 29, 2003
The Oregonian, Letter to the Editor
Rule applies to new reservoirs

September 24, 2003
The Oregonian, commentary by Renee Mitchell
Democracy is drowning in water reservoirs
"Democracy has a way of forming icebergs in the sea of public discontent. And this Titanic of an issue is rounding the bend."

September 23, 2003
The Oregonian
Open reservoir backers start petition drive

September 19, 2003
The Oregonian, Letter to the Editor
A burying boondoggle

September 19, 2003
The Oregonian, Letter to the Editor
Be open, honest about reservoirs

September 19, 2003
The Oregonian, Letter to the Editor
Stop fearful, costly reservoir plan

September 12, 2003
The Oregonian
Portland is asked to rethink plan to bury reservoirs

September 10, 2003
OPB (Oregon Considered)
Planning for Reservoirs Continues; So Do Protests

September 10, 2003
Willamette Week
A Friend in the Business: Reservoir advocates accuse Portland's Water Bureau of playing favorites

September 4, 2003
Portland Mercury
Water Over the Damned: Council Kisses Up to Business, Pisses Off Residents

September 2003
Southeast Examiner
Two versions of Mt. Tabor reservoir issue

July 25, 2003
Portland Tribune
$1 million here, $100 million there ...adds up to a hot fight over city's plan to cover its reservoirs