This program aired originally on September 9, 2024
Today's program honors Oregon Environment Icon Bob Sallinger, who died on October 30. For over 30 years Bob has been a regional fixture advocating and fighting to protect our rivers, wildlife, forests and communities from environmental and social degradation and injustice. One of his many gifts was his ability to effectively weave together environmental concerns, progressive politics and a feisty pragmatism that achieved results. Bob was a frequent guest here on Locus Focus and we will miss his voice, his energy and his humor. We will be honoring Bob's memory over the next few months by rebroadcasting his most recent appearances on Locus Focus.
On July 20, a dark plume of smoke rose from the center of Ross Island, a much abused island in the Willamette River south of downtown Portland. Ash and smoke blew into the adjoining neighborhoods and the fire burned for several hours. Neighbors stood along the bluff above the river watching the smoke drift towards them and wondering what was on fire. It turned out to be a number of old tires and abandoned equipment left in the center of the island by Ross Island Sand and Gravel's now defunct gravel mining operations, which for decades hollowed out the island and left a toxic mess.
This fire has ignited renewed urgency to wrest control of the island from Ross Island Sand and Gravel so that the long deferred cleanup and restoration process can begin. On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Bob Sallinger, Executive Director of Willamette Riverkeeper, about the pressure Riverkeeper and other environmental groups are putting on the city to reclaim Ross Island as an important natural area in the heart of Portland.
- KBOO