Commissioner Sam Adams' office is busy circulating the city council's proposed resolution on the Columbia River Crossing, soliciting co-sponsors from the rest of the council before the 5 pm filing deadline.

They won't be getting Commissioner Dan Saltzman's sponsorship. In fact, he's "seriously considering" not supporting the resolution at all, according to his chief of staff Brendan Finn, due to concerns that the council will throw away its ability to watchdog the massive project and hold it to strong environmental standards if they give the 12-lane big bridge option a nod on July 9.

Saltzman would like to see "an independent analysis of the greenhouse gas and induced automobile travel demand forecasts for the project," which is currently in the council's resolution, completed before the council signs off. Right now, the council's resolution asks for that review, but there's no guarantee it would happen.

He'd also like to ensure that the project will reduce vehicle miles traveled--the single biggest way, according to the governor's task force, to reduce global warming emissions--perhaps by holding the project to Kyoto Protocol standards. That's also in the council resolution, but again, after the council votes they essentially lose their power to demand such things.

Now Saltzman just needs two other council members to join him in cranking up the pressure on this project, for the benefit of everyone. Given the growing council unease with their lack of power to oversee this huge project, I think there's a good chance Saltzman might find the support.

UPDATE: As ambrown suggests in the comments, contact your city commissioners. Call 823-4000 to reach any of them, or email...

Mayor Tom Potter
Commissioner Sam Adams
Commissioner Randy Leonard
Commissioner Nick Fish

And don't forget Saltzman--urge him to move from "seriously considering" to "definitely won't support it."