Willamette Falls Inter-Tribal Public Access Project

FACT SHEET

Willamette Falls Trust is a nonprofit, inter-Tribal organization redefining how Indigenous communities work with private and government partners to preserve, restore, and advocate for sacred sites with shared histories.

Quick facts about Willamette Falls

  • Natural wonder: Willamette Falls is the second largest waterfall (by volume) in North America, after Niagara Falls.

  • Size: Willamette Falls spans 1,600 feet across the river and rises 42 feet high.

  • Geology: A horseshoe-shaped waterfall.

  • History: Since time immemorial, Native peoples have been fishing for salmon and Pacific Lamprey from the river and gathering foods and materials from its shores.

  • Sacred spaces: Willamette Falls has long been a gathering place for multiple Tribes and today is among the last places where Tribal members can harvest K'suyas, asum also known as Pacific Lamprey.

  • Tribal rights: Four Tribes hold usual and accustomed hunting, gathering, fishing and other use treaty rights: the Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

  • Industry: Industry began to grow up around the Falls in the 1800s and included pulp, paper, and flour mills. While the activity contributed to the economy, it left a lasting impact.

  • First long-distance transmission of electricity: Willamette Falls is the site of the first long-distance transmission of electricity, produced on June 3, 1889.

  • Viewpoints: Currently, most people view the Falls from a distant viewpoint along the interstate. The island on the West Linn side of the river offers a uniquely different perspective.

Quick facts about the Willamette Falls Trust

  • Mission: Established in 2015, Willamette Falls Trust’s mission is to champion and sustain an exceptional Willamette Falls experience that offers year-round connection to the grandeur of the Falls, historic and cultural interpretation, healthy habitat, public open spaces, and elevates Tribal voices and interests in the Falls and its waterway.

  • Collaborative Leadership: The Trust is a Tribal-led organization with representatives of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs serving on our Board of Directors. The Trust holds permanent seats on its Board of Directors for additional Tribes with historic connections to the Falls.

  • Relationships: We are in regular conversation with respected public and private organizations, including the City of West Linn, Metro, Portland General Electric, and MASS Design Group.

  • Nationally recognized: In February 2023, Willamette Falls Trust was accepted into the High Line Network, a nationwide community of non-profit leaders redefining public spaces.

  • Fundraising: The Trust is working with public and private partners to raise funds needed to create meaningful public access to the Falls. To date, the Trust has raised over $15 million in contributions and pledges, and $32 million in public funding has been earmarked for a public access project at the Falls.

 

Quick Facts About What the PGE and Willamette Falls Trust Agreement Does

  • Enables the Trust to assess the feasibility of using a portion of PGE’s land for a possible project establishing future public access and elevating the culture and presence of Indigenous peoples and history.

  • Supports the Trust during this one-year feasibility phase, including limited, PGE-escorted access to a portion of PGE’s property on the west side of Willamette Falls. The feasibility study will assess a portion of PGE’s property on the island that is outside of federally regulated boundaries associated with PGE’s hydropower plant.

  • Ensures all interested parties have the opportunity to be included in the feasibility process led by the Trust and acknowledges the numerous key stakeholders with interests in the area, including the Willamette Falls Locks Authority, local municipalities, and the Willamette Falls Paper Company.

  • Reaffirms PGE’s recognition of the area’s immense importance to Northwest Tribes and intent to grant a permanent easement that gives Tribal nations safe access for traditional cultural practices at the Falls in a manner that allows PGE to continue to operate its Sullivan hydroelectric facility.

  • Affirms the importance of the continued operation of PGE’s emissions-free Sullivan hydroelectric facility at Willamette Falls and the associated fish passage benefits, including PGE’s intent to relicense this facility in 2035.