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II. Metropolitan -Wide Natural Resource Atlas <br /> 1. Refine Natural Resources Mapping <br /> Refine mapping of steams, storm channels, riparian zones, wetlands, and other water features <br /> on base maps to a degree of accuracy suitable for land use decision - making. This mapping <br /> will integrate existing efforts and refine others to a comparable level of consistency. <br /> 2. Digitize the Inventory <br /> Using the existing digitized tax lot base, digitize the wetlands and natural resources so comput- <br /> erized mapping, atlas preparation, and local land use decision - making can take advantage of <br /> the computerized data base. <br /> III. Demonstration Restoration Projects <br /> (Refer to site map showing general locations of three projects: 1. Springfield - North Irving <br /> Slough, 2. Upper Amazon Creek, Eugene, 3. Willow Creek, Eugene.) <br /> 1. Springfield - North Irving Slough <br /> Springfield proposes a habitat restoration and enhancement demonstration project for a 1.5 mile <br /> stretch of Irving Slough adjacent to the McKenzie River in the northern part of Springfield and its <br /> urbanizable area. Irving Slough was identified in a Eugene - Springfield metropolitan area Natural <br /> Resources Special Study (NRSS) as a significant natural resource with high wildlife habitat value <br /> relative to many other sites in the metropolitan area, and relative to most sites in the Springfield <br /> area. The recommendations of the NRSS include protection by way of a natural resource zone for <br /> part of the slough; and development, recreation access, stormwater planning, restoration, clean-up, <br /> and education for another section of the slough. Nevertheless, ongoing difficulties with maintenance <br /> of the wetlands system and disputes among neighboring residents regarding the maintenance of <br /> water flows threaten the viability and functionality of the Irving Slough. Additionally, numerous <br /> property owners have filled or altered the wetland in places without knowledge of wetland regula- <br /> tions. <br /> This demonstration project would enable the City to involve and inform area residents, and to <br /> coordinate with interested state and federal agencies to resolve conditions that threaten the wetland <br /> functions and values. The demonstration project would provide a multi- objective approach, and <br /> would incorporate a high degree of cooperation and consultation among agencies and property <br /> owners to ensure successful achievement of the project objectives. The following is a list of some of <br /> the major objectives that would be undertaken in this project. <br /> • Education of neighboring property owners regarding state and federal wetland regulations, <br /> City water maintenance issues, and other issues related to protection of the wetland <br /> system; <br /> • Resolution of wetland development constraints on adjacent vacant industrial properties; <br /> • Provision of stormwater management and treatment, including integration of new "Best <br /> Management Practices," for future development on vacant lands adjacent to the slough and <br /> delineated wetland boundaries; <br /> 11 <br />