Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties and Metro recently completed a regional process to identify land for future urban development and protect farms, forests and natural areas for the next half century. It isn’t hard to figure out why we love the Portland metro region. Through shrewd planning and a love of place we’ve kept nature close to home and country close to city.

Collectively, the region has made important long term decisions that will determine the shape and size of cities, towns and rural landscapes for years to come.

On February 25, 2010, the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Metro to designate 13,750 acres of urban reserves and 70,500 acres of rural reserves in Clackamas County for the next 50 years. The other partners in the reserves process approved their IGAs the same week. This action was followed in March and April 2010 by approval of the County Planning Commission, and then the Board of County Commissioners, of changes to the County’s Comprehensive Plan needed to implement the reserves. In May 2010, the Board approved a revised IGA.

These same agreements determine which natural features will be protected from development and which lands the region believes are most valuable maintained as farms and forests over that same time period.

As the second largest City in Clackamas County, Oregon City's input as a local partner in the process was very important in guiding the final designations.

Please click on the links at the bottom of this page for more information.