On Wednesday Nov. 28, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. (time certain) the Portland City Council will hold a public hearing to consider the City's request to Metro for determination of substantial compliance with Title 13, "Nature in Neighborhoods." The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability developed this request in collaboration with the Bureaus of Environmental Services, Parks and Recreation, and Development Services.

Existing City regulatory and non-regulatory programs form the basis for the City's request. These programs protect and enhance the ecological condition of thousands of acres of regionally significant natural resources in Portland. No new regulations are proposed as part of this compliance request. The Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) has endorsed the request and recommends that the Council direct its submittal to Metro. The PSC also recommends that the City enter into a separate voluntary intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Metro as a statement of mutual intent to continue our watershed health-related efforts and to collaborate on natural resource issues of regional concern.