Geotechnical and Geological Data Report for Rocky Butte Natural Area

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March 1, 2016

City of Portland Parks & Recreation Attn: Ms. Emily Roth, Natural Resource Planner 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1302 Portland, Oregon 97204 Via email: Emily.Roth@PortlandOregon.gov Re:

Geotechnical Data Review and Geologic Site Reconnaissance Rocky Butte Tree Removal Portland, Oregon PBS Project No. 73194.000

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc. (PBS) has completed a geotechnical and geological data review and walking site reconnaissance at Rocky Butte Natural Area located in Portland, Oregon (site) (Figure 1, Vicinity Map). Based on information provided via email on May 21, 2015, PBS understands the City of Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) would like to remove large and/or dead trees at Rocky Butte Natural Area to comply with the City of Portland’s Scenic Views, Sites and Drives Inventory. According to the inventory description VP 19-06, “The Rocky Butte panorama allows views in nearly all directions, with particularly spectacular views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.” The view corridors have not been maintained and, after a site reconnaissance by PP&R Urban Forestry group, PP&R has proposed reestablishing the window views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and downtown Portland by selectively removing 56 trees or groupings of trees, with the majority being at least 12-inch diameter (Figure 2, Site Plan). PP&R requested PBS comment on the stability of existing slopes at the site and provide an opinion on the potential impacts from tree removal. For discussion purposes, the project area has been separated into three sections based on the topography and vegetation types observed during the site reconnaissance. The sections have been named based on the descending slope direction and include the eastern section, northern section, and western section.   

Eastern Section: tree removal areas are designated Areas A through F Northern Section: tree removal areas are designated Areas G through M Western Section: tree removal areas are designated Areas N through T

DATA REVIEW PBS reviewed published geology and geologic hazard maps, aerial and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) imagery, topographic maps for the site, and the information provided by PP&R that included a site plan showing the tree removal areas (designated A through T) and a spreadsheet with additional details about the tree types, sizes, and proposed mitigation.


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Geotechnical and Geological Data Report for Rocky Butte Natural Area by Portland Parks & Recreation - Issuu