The Salem are is rich in wetland resources, which provide numerous values and functions such as, retaining flood waters, enhancing water quality, and providing valuable open space within urban settings.

The Salem Keizer Local Wetland Inventory, completed in the late 1990s, identified over 1400 acres of wetlands in the study area, but this abundance of natural features is slowly disappearing. The loss of wetlands is not felt only in Salem. According to the Department of Land, Conservation and Development, the U.S. loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands each year. Loss of wetlands is due to a number of factors including conversion of wetlands to other uses through diking or draining, channelization of local streams for flood control, urbanization, industrial development, surface water diversion and groundwater pumping for irrigation.

Local Wetlands Protection
There are state and federal regulations which regulate wetland activities to some extent. However, the City of Salem has taken the initiative to begin a wetlands planning program that will provide for the long-term protection of these valuable resources. Under the Statewide Planning Goal 5, local governments are required to develop programs to protect wetlands. The first step towards compliance with Goal 5 was initiated through the completion of the Local Wetland Inventory. The next steps for Goal 5 include determining which wetlands are significant using an approved process, and designing a protection program for those wetlands. These are the wetlands for which regulatory ordinances will be developed in order to comply with the Statewide Planning Goals. The Department of Land Conservation and Development has awarded a grant to the City of Salem to assist with this on-going effort. Public outreach and participation will continue to be an important and necessary component of this program, including but not limited to public workshops on the program.

For more information regarding this program, please call 503-588-6173 or click here to view the latest information on this program.