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The Willamette River faces two big problems in Portland: a long-polluted site and a lagoon that spawns toxic algae blooms. One new proposal aims to fix them both.

Why it matters: The plan could cut cleanup costs and meet state requirements to reclaim the lagoon.

The latest: The parties responsible for the Superfund cleanup on the Willamette north of the Broadway Bridge have proposed using the contaminated soil to fill in the 130-foot-deep lagoon, as first reported by the Oregon Journalism Project.

A consortium would purchase Ross Island and the polluted soil would be capped to contain the contaminants, similar to successful projects in Tacoma, Boston Harbor and the Hudson River in New York.

Roughly 7% of the soil is considered hazardous and would still need to be trucked to a landfill.

Catch up quick: The Portland Harbor site, a 10-mile stretch from near downtown to the confluence with the Columbia, is home to hundreds of millions of cubic tons of soil contaminated by decades of industrial pollution that needs to be removed.

Since the harbor was declared a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2000, the plan has been to dig up the soil, truck it to central Oregon and deposit it in landfills, which could cost up to $7 billion.

The Ross Island lagoon and its nasty algae blooms are the product of years of gravel mining, which left a stagnant body of water that frequently results in blooms that make the river dangerous for people and animals.

The state established reclamation goals for the lagoon that required it be filled back in 2002.

A January letter from 10 environmental groups called on Gov. Kotek to support the plan.

"We view this moment as an opportunity to imagine a creative public ownership and stewardship model whereby Ross Island can be held in perpetuity to ensure environmental protection," the group wrote, per the Oregon Journalism Project.

What's next: The plan would need to get approval from the EPA and the state before it could move forward.

But it would need to happen soon. The EPA plans to start removing soil from the harbor in 2028.

Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon

The proposed project would reuse contaminated soil to cut costs and reduce toxic algae.

Wide river with multiple bridges: a large green truss lift bridge in the foreground, a white cable-stayed bridge behind, and a distant tree-lined cityscape.

A new proposal aims to fix two big problems on the Willamette in one fell swoop. Photo: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

The Willamette River faces two big problems in Portland: a long-polluted site and a lagoon that spawns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="toxic algae blooms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" data-vars-content-id="0357c0a4-775b-4839-90e2-ddf93bab5cfc" data-vars-headline="Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" target="_self">toxic algae blooms</a>. One new proposal aims to fix them both.Why it matters: The plan could cut cleanup costs and meet state requirements to reclaim the lagoon.

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The Timbers will play a mini-season early next year as Major League Soccer makes a major calendar change that will align it with much of the rest of the world.

Why it matters: The long-awaited scheduling change will make the league more competitive during the summer transfer window, something Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said is long overdue.

What they're saying: "The change should only affect about 10% of our games and moves playoffs to a more optimal time of the year," Paulson said when the change was announced last year, per KGW.

"It will also allow us synchronize better with the global player transfer market."

Designated a "sprint season," MLS' regular season will run from February until April. Each team will play 14 intraconference regular season games, seven of which will be on the road and seven at home.

The top eight teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs. The shortened season wraps up with the 2027 MLS Cup in May.

The 2027 season will also determine qualification for the 2028 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2028 Leagues Cup.

The latest: The Timbers still have their current season to get through.

After their first draw of the season — a 1-1 match with the LA Galaxy on Sunday where they were down a player for 70 minutes — Portland is 1-1-3 through five games and is 14th in the Western Conference.

The season is still young, however, and they'll be back on the pitch April 4 to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps.

What's next: The league's new summer-to-spring season calendar kicks off in July 2027 and culminates in the MLS Cup in May 2028. There will be a break from mid-December through early February.

What we're watching: The sprint season schedule will be revealed in the coming months.

Timbers prep for MLS sprint season shift

The MLS will shift to a  new schedule next year to match the international calendar.

Soccer player in a pale yellow kit kicks a white ball on a green pitch, with teammates, an orange referee, and a crowded stadium in the background watching the action.

Next season's kickoff will feel a lot different as the league shifts its schedule. Photo: Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

The Timbers will play a mini-season early next year as Major League Soccer makes a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major calendar change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/17/mls-summer-spring-calendar" data-vars-content-id="278d8ac2-3f2b-482e-8cbd-1fe5d43fcee3" data-vars-headline="Timbers prep for MLS sprint season shift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/17/mls-summer-spring-calendar" target="_self">major calendar change</a> that will align it with much of the rest of the world.Why it matters: The long-awaited scheduling change will make the league more competitive during the summer transfer window, something Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said is long overdue.

Sports

Data: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

Outdoor recreation contributed 2.7% of Oregon's GDP in 2024, according to new federal data.

The big picture: The sector remains a significant slice of the U.S. economy, contributing 2.4% of national GDP — nearly $700 billion, per a report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Catch up quick: GDP for the outdoor economy was up 2.7% in 2024 — a slowdown from 2023, when it rose 5.3% from the previous year.

Zoom in: Despite our reputation as a haven for hikers, hunters, anglers, skiers and snowboarders, Oregon was firmly in the middle of the pack at No. 22 among all states.

Zoom out: Outdoor recreation accounted for the highest shares of GDP in Hawai'i (6.1%), Alaska (5.3%) and Montana (4.9%).

It accounted for the smallest shares in Washington, D.C. (1%); New York (1.6%) and Delaware (1.6%).

Yes, but: California led the country in total outdoor recreation spending, at $87.9 billion.

Boating and fishing were the biggest economic drivers among "conventional activities," adding $38.4 billion to the nationwide GDP.

RVing added $27.5 billion, while hunting, shooting and trapping added another $16.5 billion.

 "Snow activities" added $7.6 billion, with the largest contributions in Colorado ($1.6 billion), California ($730.5 million), and Utah ($598.2 million).

Outdoor recreation drives 2.7% of Oregon GDP

New federal data shows outdoor recreation drove 2.7% of Oregon's economy in 2024.

A choropleth map of the U.S showing outdoor recreation's share of state GDP in 2024. Hawai'i leads at 6.1%, while Washington, D.C. trails at 1%. The nationwide figure is 2.4%.

Outdoor recreation contributed 2.7% of Oregon&#x27;s GDP in 2024, according to new federal data.The big picture: The sector remains a significant slice of the U.S. economy, contributing 2.4% of national GDP — nearly $700 billion, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/outdoor-recreation-economic-statistics-us-and-states-2024" data-vars-content-id="40bb8a3b-ee7c-4cff-893d-cdc044e49c82" data-vars-headline="Outdoor recreation drives 2.7% of Oregon GDP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/outdoor-recreation-economic-statistics-us-and-states-2024" target="_blank">report</a> from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

A federal appeals court blocked two rulings limiting when officers in Portland can use tear gas during protests.

Why it matters: The 2-1 decision by a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit temporarily reverses restrictions on tear gas use ahead of a weekend where large protests are planned.

Catch up quick: The limits stem from two lawsuits over federal use of chemical munitions near an ICE facility in South Portland amid long-running protests.

In one case, tenants of a nearby apartment building argued that clouds of tear gas seeping into their dwellings violated their constitutional rights.

In the other, demonstrators and journalists alleged that the feds' use of chemical munitions represented excessive force.

The federal judges agreed in both cases, and earlier this month they restricted the use of chemical munitions to situations in which officers face imminent threats.

State of play: The U.S. Department of Justice appealed both rulings and the cases were consolidated.

Appeals court judges Kenneth Kiyul Lee and Eric C. Tung, both appointed by President Trump, agreed to block the restrictions at least until oral arguments can be held.

Judge Ana de Alba, appointed by President Biden, dissented.

What's next: Both sides will present their cases before the panel on April 7.

Appeals court blocks limits on tear gas use in Portland

A federal appeals court paused limits on tear gas use before this weekend's planned protests.

A person wearing aa gas mask in an inflatable costume that makes them look like they are riding a giant duck stands amid clouds of tear gas with a bright light behind.

Federal officers are again allowed to deploy chemical munitions without restrictions. Photo: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

A federal appeals court blocked two rulings <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limiting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/02/judge-lawsuit-ice-tear-gas-protests" data-vars-content-id="567f973a-a993-4198-8948-309456103f00" data-vars-headline="Appeals court blocks limits on tear gas use in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/02/judge-lawsuit-ice-tear-gas-protests" target="_self">limiting</a> when officers in Portland can use tear gas during protests.Why it matters: The 2-1 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/27911636-appealscourtorder/" data-vars-content-id="567f973a-a993-4198-8948-309456103f00" data-vars-headline="Appeals court blocks limits on tear gas use in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/27911636-appealscourtorder/" target="_blank">decision</a> by a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit temporarily reverses restrictions on tear gas use ahead of a weekend where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="large protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/27/no-kings-day-protests-3000-events-nationwide" data-vars-content-id="567f973a-a993-4198-8948-309456103f00" data-vars-headline="Appeals court blocks limits on tear gas use in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/27/no-kings-day-protests-3000-events-nationwide" target="_self">large protests</a> are planned.

Oregon is far behind its goals of cutting carbon emissions to slow climate change, and the state's departments can't seem to agree on how to narrow the gap.

Why it matters: Oregon is pushing to cut carbon emissions by 45% by 2035, and a draft plan to help do so is exposing tensions between state agencies over policy priorities.

State of play: The Oregon Department of Energy released the draft for public comment last week, OPB reported.

The recommendations included things like reducing food waste, installing heat pumps in more homes and increasing access to solar panels.

The intrigue: The proposal also called on residents to "reduce beef and pork consumption 50% by 2050" as well as cutting down on poultry and eggs.

That didn't sit well with the Department of Agriculture, where the board of directors said they had not been included in the process.

What they're saying: That particular recommendation appears to run contrary to work the state has done to fund more local meat processing facilities.

Processing meat locally "is not only more efficient, less expensive, but greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating unnecessary animal and meat transport all over the country," Board of Agriculture chair Elin Miller told OPB.

The bottom line: The Department of Energy noted that the recommendations were still just in draft form and extended the public comment period from March 27 to April 10.

Tension brews as Oregon agencies push toward climate goals

A draft climate plan is exposing disagreements between state agencies over emissions cuts.

Pastoral field with a herd of cows by a shallow pond; a white cow and calf stand near the foreground while black cows graze in the distance under a cloudy sky.

These cows near Hermiston aren't sure where they fit into the plan to reduce carbon emissions. Photo: Chona Kasinger/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Oregon is far behind its goals of cutting carbon emissions to slow <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/climate-change-allergy-season-30-days-longer" data-vars-content-id="b56e5b08-936a-4a25-8885-e8d2be477d97" data-vars-headline="Tension brews as Oregon agencies push toward climate goals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/climate-change-allergy-season-30-days-longer" target="_self">climate change</a>, and the state&#x27;s departments can&#x27;t seem to agree on how to narrow the gap.Why it matters: Oregon is pushing to cut carbon emissions by 45% by 2035, and a draft plan to help do so is exposing tensions between state agencies over policy priorities.

Kale Williams

Featured stories

Appeals court blocks limits on tear gas use in Portland

Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon

Tension brews as Oregon agencies push toward climate goals

Timbers prep for MLS sprint season shift

Outdoor recreation drives 2.7% of Oregon GDP