The West Eugene Wetlands Plan is a multiple objective water resources plan that seeks to address an array of management issues. These issues include: (a) the identification and evaluation of wetland functions, community values, development needs, and investments; (b) providing certainty, compromise and balance in development and protection; (c) providing flexibility in order to change with the needs and desires of the community; (d) viewing wetlands as part of the overall water resources within the landscape in a watershed context; (e) providing a holistic system of water resources Protection, including interconnected waterways and a variety and diversity of habitats with ample buffer zones; and (1) providing the foundation for partnerships among resource agencies, the community, landowners, developers and environmentalists.

Part of the success of the plan rests in its ability to strike a balance between the issues, and then implement and maintain that balance. The West Eugene Wetlands Plan relies upon several key components to accomplish these goals: multiple objectives, protection measures, mitigation, an implementing entity, monitoring and maintenance, and financing strategies. Each of these is described more thoroughly in the sections that follow.

MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES

One means to accomplish a balance involved a multiple objectives approach, where many issues were addressed in a variety of creative and resourceful ways. The wetlands issue is a water resource issue that extends beyond habitat, water quality, or even environmental protection issues. Significant to the success of the plan was identifying and addressing a broad spectrum of issues, those opportunities and benefits derived from a holistic approach. Expressed as objectives, these became guiding features in plan development.

Specific wetland planning and water resources objectives are:

a. Wetlands Protection Habitats, rare plants, and unique plant communities are protected, as well as buffers.

b. Integrated Natural Resources Planning Metropolitan-wide natural resources planning is integrated into the wetland program. The draft Natural Resources Functional Plan addresses wetlands, waterways, riparian zones, and selected uplands, including ridgelines and headwater streams.

c. Stormwater Quality While the West Eugene Wetlands Plan focuses on a concentration of wetlands, it is also part of an examination of an entire watershed-the Amazon Creek watershed. Through the city's stormwater nonpoint source pollution study, the drainage basin is being examined in light of wetlands. That process will result in a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (CSWMP) which will meet or exceed EPA and DEQ regulations for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)(1) permit. CSWMP will merge natural resources planning, wetland planning, floodplain management, stormwater management, and stormwater quality into one program. The NPDES permit will be accompanied by a Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan with best management practices recommended to improve stormwater quality city-wide.

d. Stormwater Conveyance Handling the quantity and movement of urban runoff will continue to be addressed, including maintenance access.

e. Floodplain Management In some cases, protecting wetlands can alleviate or reduce the need for engineering solutions to urban flooding. Rather than building deeper or wider channels, or building large detention basins, buying wetlands and simply allowing them to flood can be a less expensive solution. This is true in Eugene.

f. Recreation The bicycle path that exists along Amazon Creek will be extended further into west Eugene to connect with nearby Fern Ridge Reservoir. Eventually, the Amazon path will connect along an Amazon greenway system, and the Amazon Creektrail system will connect to a ridgeline trail which follows the south hills of Eugene. This connected system will provide walking, bicycling and canoeing opportunities in an urban environment. Other trails within the wetlands will provide interpretive opportunities.

g. Education and Interpretation There are opportunities for involving schools and the broader community in education about natural systems and water resources. Locally, the possibility of creating a wetland interpretive center in west Eugene is being studied.




h. Open Space The wetland systems will become part of the city's park and open space system. It will feature passive recreation for the most part, as well as provide the visual and psychological benefits that green areas bring to an urban environment.

i. Research The wetland area is in proximity to the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon State University in Corvallis, the EPA Laboratory in Corvallis, ACOE's Fern Ridge Reservoir, and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's State Wildlife Management Area leased from the ACOE on 5,000 acres on eastern Fern Ridge Reservoir. A multitude of research opportunities are available.

j. Economic Development The wetland reserve in west Eugene will eventually abut residential and industrial development. Providing good buffering will help preserve the integrity of the wetlands. Proximity to wetlands will increase land values for those who want to view wetlands from their homes or from their offices. For businesses, proximity to this wetland system can be used as a benefit for employees, customers, and the company's image and logo.

All of the above were included in the adopted West Eugene Wetlands Plan in goals, policies, recommended actions, or in an Appendix.

(1) As Eugene-Springfield's population is over 100,000, it is required to meet federal and state nonpoint source pollution requirements under the CWA.