A jet undergoing de-icing. Courtesy of the Port of Portland, Portside Magazine

   The Columbia River Slough has long been a dumping ground for toxic runoff. Under existing pollution permits the airport and several other northeast Portland industries discharge untreated storm water directly into the Slough. Such pollutants as those found in deicer glycol are hazardous to native wildlife and plants. Deicer glycol lowers levels of dissolved oxygen in the slow moving slough, depleting the oxygen needed by plants and animals. Those who use areas surrounding the slough for recreational purposes, such as fishing and swimming, are affected too.

   One solution is to maintain oxygen levels while coming up with ways to reduce the amount of deicer going into the slough. By 2003, the Port will be required to keep 85% of the deicing pollutants out of the nearby slough. Cost estimates for the collection, detention, and treatment of deicing spray are nearly $1.4 million. The planned project will include a two-million gallon holding tank, a 13 million gallon detention basin, and environmental testing to check the amount of deicer flowing into the Slough's storm water.