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EUGENE Public Works <br /> Maintenance <br /> July 26, 1994 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97402 <br /> Heather Reynolds (503) 687-5220 <br /> 3885 Yorkshire Ave. <br /> Eugene, OR 97405 <br /> ti <br /> Dear Heather. <br /> Thank you for your letter of July 19th. I'm glad you are leaming about wetlands. I've just <br /> completed some additional training in wetlands management myself, and it makes me happy <br /> to know that young people are interested in nature. <br /> Now, about mowing grass next to wetlands, I appreciate your thoughts, but what you suggest <br /> is the opposite of what we have been told by plant ecologists and other experts who work in <br /> wetlands mitigation. They all feel that grass next to wetlands should be mowed to reduce the <br /> seed source for non - native, invasive plants such as blackbemes, common teasel, Canada <br /> thistle, and reed canarygrass that can crowd native plants out of wetland environments. We <br /> follow this practice along the Amazon Channel adjacent to the thirty -nine acres of "wet prairie" <br /> wetlands the City now owns and manages and around the Eastem Gateway restored wetland <br /> site at the intersection Seventh Avenue and Baily Hill Road. <br /> The City mows twelve miles of drainage channels that are not next to wetland mitigation sites <br /> or inside urban parks. In these areas we leave grass and other vegetation on the lower part <br /> of the channel uncut. While this provides cover for animals, it is not as good for native plants. <br /> Much of the vegetation in this uncut zone is made up of those non - native problem species I <br /> mentioned above. You might ask your parents or teacher to show you these plants and look <br /> for them on your next visit to our local wetlands. <br /> Inside the City limits, the City Code requires grass to be mowed from June 15th to September <br /> 15th unless their are special circumstances. For example, we delay mowing parts of Amazon <br /> Park that contain a rare and endangered plant until after it has set its seed. A plant expert <br /> working for the City tells us when it is ready each year. This year we mowed these areas just <br /> about the time you wrote your letter. Last year we had to wait until August. <br /> Ecology isn't simple. What benefits one part of an ecosystem, such as insects or small <br /> animals, may not be good for another part, such as native grasses and other wetland plants. <br /> We have to consider the whole picture, as well as laws, regulations, and the needs of people <br /> who live in the city, in making management decisions. I hope this letter helps you better <br /> understand how that decision- making process works. <br /> Thank you again for your interest. 1 hope you continue to study and enjoy nature. <br /> Sincerely yours, <br /> 7:7 - V ttl___i <br /> Tim Rhay <br /> Turf & Grounds Supervisor <br />