TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

The River & Environmental Planning program develops plans, policies, and regulations to protect environmental resources, manage floodplains, and support climate resilience. It focuses on three areas: Willamette River Planning, Environmental Planning, and Resiliency Planning. The program has experienced reduced resources over 5-7 years and operates at minimal staffing. Current work includes correcting environmental overlay zone (Ezone) maps and updating floodplain regulations to maintain federal flood insurance access.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

FY 2026-27 proposed budget revenue is $599,902, down from $735,531 in 2025-26 (p. 297 ↗)
Personnel costs are $597,502 (up from $588,580 in 2025-26); External Materials and Services are $2,400 (down from $159,508) (p. 297 ↗)
Program focuses on three main functions: Willamette River Planning, Environmental Planning, and Resiliency Planning/Floodplain Regulation updates (p. 297 ↗)
Program has experienced reduced resources and capacity over the last 5-7 years and is currently at minimal staffing levels (p. 298 ↗)
Team is working on multi-year Ezone Map Correction Project, currently focused on industrial land in conjunction with state-mandated Economic Opportunities Analysis update (p. 298 ↗)
In FY 26-27, team will update floodplain and development regulations for North Reach of the Willamette River (p. 298 ↗)
Program works closely with City's Tribal Relations Program, tribal governments, and native peoples on river planning due to their cultural relationships with the river (p. 298 ↗)

Amounts: $599,902 · $597,502 · $2,400 · $159,508 · $735,531 · $588,580 · Programs: Willamette River Planning · Environmental Planning · Resiliency Planning · Floodplain Regulation update · Ezone Map Correction Project · Economic Opportunities Analysis · Parties: Bureau of Planning & Sustainability · Tribal Relations Program · Tribal Relations Liaison

River & Environmental

Source: PDF pp. 297-298 ↗ · raw: 297 · 298

Breadcrumb: Service Area Summaries > Community & Economic Development > Bureau of Planning & Sustainability > River & Environmental

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Community & Economic Development > Bureau of Planning & Sustainability > River & Environmental River & Environmental Budget Revenues by Fund 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed Internal Revenues $988,757 $763,572 $735,531 $599,902 General Fund $988,757 $763,572 $735,531 $599,902 Grand Total $988,757 $763,572 $735,531 $599,902 Program Expenses by Major Object Program expenses only include personnel, internal materials and services, external materials and services, and capital. 2023-24 Actuals 2024-25 Actuals 2025-26 Revised Budget 2026-27 Proposed External Materials and $9,830 $63,629 $159,508 $2,400 Services Internal Materials and $68 $111 $1,500 $0 Services Personnel $794,566 $498,098 $588,580 $597,502 Grand Total $804,463 $561,838 $749,588 $599,902 Program Description and Goals The River and Environmental Planning program is responsible for developing plans, policies, projects, and regulations to protect and improve the health of environmental resources, support proper floodplain management, and contribute to Portland's resiliency in the face of climate change. The program is also responsible for developing plans that meet State land use mandates and advance objectives related to natural resources, economic development, recreation, water quality, and other goals. The three main functions of the program are:

Willamette River Planning. It focuses on development; parks; natural, scenic, and cultural resources; and transportation along the river.
Environmental Planning. It involves development and maintenance of the City's regulatory tools which protect and enhance natural resources and improve environmental health and resiliency citywide and through area-specific projects.
Resiliency Planning / Floodplain Regulation update. The program also helps with the City's resilience research and planning to the help the city mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. 297

City of Portland Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget Services

Environmental planning
Natural resources protection
Willamette River planning
Floodplain regulations and protection
Resilience and climate change mitigation and adaptation Equity Impacts Access to rivers, streams, forests, and wildlife is important for a healthy community. People who experience the greatest disparities in Portland typically have limited access to nature. By protecting and enhancing natural areas in neighborhoods, we provide equitable access to nature and these public health benefits. River planning is coordinated closely with the City's Tribal Relations Program, tribal governments, and native people due to their deep cultural relationships with the river. This team works closely with the City's Tribal Relations Liaison to involve local tribes and other native peoples in planning, especially along the Willamette River. The results of this collaboration are especially evident in the recently adopted River Plan / South Reach project. Changes to Program The program has seen reduced resources and capacity over the last five to seven years and is currently at the minimal level of staffing to be able to complete ongoing work plans. This team is working on multi-year, phased work plans to correct the environmental overlay zone (Ezone) maps, based on updated technology and methods, and to update floodplain regulations, as required in order for the city to maintain access to affordable federal floodplain insurance. The Ezone maps are used to protect identified natural resources and to avoid development in hazardous areas. The current phase of the Ezone Map Correction Project is focused on industrial land and is being updated in conjunction with the state-mandated update of the Economic Opportunities Analysis. In FY 26-27, the team will update floodplain and development regulations that will apply the North Reach of the Willamette River. 298

Parent: Bureau of Planning & Sustainability · PDF: pp. 297-298 ↗