_{The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named Portland Harbor a Superfund site in December 2000 due to contaminated river sediments. That began a cleanup program led by the federal government in the lower Willamette River between Swan Island and Sauvie Island.}

_{The city has a unique role in Portland Harbor as a steward of the river and as a regulator and a potentially responsible party. The city also is aware that cleanup decisions must be cost-effective and based on sound science. They must also consider the economic importance of a working harbor while restoring one of Portland’s most valuable natural assets.}

_{The City of Portland is a potentially responsible party. Because of the potential of the city stormwater system to carry contamination from the uplands to the river, the city may ultimately be liable for some of the cleanup and restoration of the Portland Harbor site. EPA mailed collection requests (also known as "CERCLA 104e letters) to over 280 current and former property owners, tenants, or facility operators.In that role of looking broadly at the impacts of the Superfund site on the Portland community, the city is part of the Lower Willamette Group (LWG).}

_{For more information see the following links below.}