How our region invests in its transportation system shapes flows of water and wildlife as well as people and freight. Roads and parking lots are the primary source of polluted stormwater run-off- the quality and quantity of which can degrade our local stream habitat. New freeways and roads also create migratory barriers that can kill, injure or orphan wildlife and lead to direct and cumulative loss of habitat. Meanwhile cars are the primary source of local air pollution. Hence, how and where we invest our transportation dollars has a critical impact the health of our regional ecosystem. For all these reasons Audubon Society of Portland is working with the Coalition for a Livable Future (a coalition of 80+ allied public interest groups) to shift transportation funding priorities in our region.
Over the next year, our regional government, Metro, will be updating the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which will determine how we allocate at least $4.2 billion on transportation in the metropolitan area. The Coalition has crafted a strategy called Shift the Balance! for a balanced transportation system that will give people more choices and better access to the places they want and need to go. CLF’s approach will foster healthier, walkable communities that promise to have a lower impact on our local ecosystems and the clean water and wildlife they support. We need your help making sure Metro hears from the community as it develops a new RTP that works for wildlife and people. Visit the CLF Website for more details, take the survey, and learn how you can get involved.