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h , D re g on Deparstry State Forester's Office <br /> "affi 2600 State Street <br /> U . . Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor Salem, OR 97310 <br /> (503) 945-7200 <br /> FAX (503) 945 -7212 <br /> TTY (503) 945- 7213/800 -437- <br /> 4490 <br /> http:/ /www.odf.state.or.us <br /> November 18, 2006 4<-" 4 , <br /> b <br /> ,. tN7 pF E f / <br /> Charlie Krebs "STEWARD <br /> Director of Cooperative Programs SHIP IN <br /> Region 6, USDA Forest Service FORESTRY <br /> P. O. Box 3623 <br /> Portland, OR 97208 <br /> The Department of Forestry as Oregon's Forest Legacy Program lead agency concurs with <br /> Oregon's Forestland Coordinating Group in selecting two proposals for fiscal year 2007 funding <br /> consideration. Oregon is currently focusing its Forest Legacy Program to protect and enhance <br /> priority forest types within its Land Use Planning Program's Urban Growth Boundaries. These <br /> urban forests provide important ecological and social components of the state's sustainable <br /> forestry strategy, as well as providing some forest products to local mills. Oregon is submitting <br /> two proposals for funding consideration. Both promote the state's land use planning natural <br /> resource goals, and a water quality and fish habitat improvement strategy articulated in the <br /> Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. <br /> The state's first priority is the South Eugene Hills Phase I proposal. It is part of a regional <br /> strategy to protect critical White Oak habitat for wildlife and plant - animal species proposed for <br /> threatened and endangered status under the federal ESA, provide recreational opportunities, <br /> and address water quality concerns. The City of Eugene and Lane County are part of a very <br /> active regional planning process and this proposal has wide support from federal, state and local <br /> governments, conservation organizations, and citizen groups. This 25 -acre parcel of Oregon <br /> White Oak and mixed conifer forests will be actively managed and expand an adjacent 123 -acre <br /> city owned oak woodland. This parcel strategically connects 1,000 acres of Eugene's Ridgeline <br /> Park system with a 2,800 acre public - private wetland preserve. <br /> Oregon's number two priority is the Johnson Creek/Crystal Springs proposal in the Portland <br /> area, Oregon's largest urban area. The proposal addresses several important resource <br /> concerns: recreation, water quality and habitat for endangered salmonid species. The property <br /> is less than a mile from the confluence of Johnson Creek and the Willamette River, and is an <br /> important urban stream that supports several endangered anadromous fish runs. The property <br /> connects an existing city park property with an extensive hiking/biking trail that links multiple <br /> forested parcels as it traverses the Johnson Creek watershed. <br />