Founded in 2012, PHCC is a collective of groups and individuals elevating the most impacted, historically or currently, in the billion-dollar federal cleanup of the ten-mile Willamette River Superfund site in what is now known as the Portland Harbor.
What are we fighting for?
The water and land in the Wilamut or Wa' lúmt (Willamette River) around Portland is polluted from over a century of heavy industrial activity. It is past time to restore the water and heal the people affected by the contamination. Industry and agencies have to pay for the cleanup of the river that they polluted through a federal law and program called the “Superfund”. Many polluters and government agencies make choices to save money, delay or reverse cleanups, at the expense of our communities.
People who have been historically and are currently being impacted by pollution in the Portland Harbor have a right to a robust, equitable cleanup of the river. People also have the right to guide the direction of and benefit from the Superfund cleanup.
“We are changing people's thinking on who gets to be included in decisions around EJ issues.”
- PHCC Member
“We are a close knit community coming together, working for the same cause of making our river cleaner for future generations.”
– PHCC Steering Committee Member