Jurisdictional kerfuffle results in costly pause to Sandy River Delta cleanup, docs say

The Department of State Lands (DSL) moved forward with a cleanup of homeless camps at Sandy River Delta despite lacking law enforcement support, leading to clashes with private contractors and an indefinite pause on the effort. Emails obtained indicate a jurisdictional dispute between the DSL and local law enforcement, with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office deferring to the Oregon State Police. Initial estimates from the security contractor, NW Enforcement, suggest that restarting the paused contract could cost taxpayers approximately $6,230. The overall cleanup effort could reach costs of over $200,000, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility. The DSL planned to address abandoned camps while negotiating with remaining occupants, hoping to reduce the number of individuals in the area.

The security firm indicated that costs would recur if the cleanup resumed unexpectedly. Both NW Hazmat and NW Enforcement have not provided comments, citing confidentiality agreements. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in managing homeless encampments and the complexity of jurisdictional authority.