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A Page 2 CAMASSIA Wetlands Plan Cont to Evolve Much like the living wetlands it addresses, the West • Find a balance between environmental protec- Eugene Wetlands Plan is an evolving document. At its tion and needed urban development while meeting state center is a framework around which sound planning and federal laws and regulations. decisions can be made, yet it is also flexible enough to • Streamline the wetland permitting process adapt to new information. The plan has been in effect • Ensure state and federal actions are consistent for more than a year, and strong partnerships with the with the City's wetland policies. s — of Land Management and The Nature Con- Oregon law allows local governments to develop rvancy have been forged. In 1994, a revision to the wetland conservation plan's to help certainty and wetland inventory (see article on page 3) signals the need streamline the wetland permitting process. In 1992, for amendments to the plan. This new inventory and the West Eugene Wetlands Plan was adopted by the City the amendment process will provide opportunities for of Eugene and Lane County. On October 1, 1993, the additional citizen involvement. City formally submitted the plan, along with proposed The City of Eugene began its West Eugene Wet- ordinance amendments, supporting documents, and land Program in 1989. The success of the program is maps of wetland boundaries, to the Division of State rooted in four goals: Lands (DSL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. • Develop a plan which provides certainty for land The submittal of the plan to these agencies represents owners in the west Eugene area. a milestone in the City's wetland planning process. The City is asking the DSL to review and approve the plan as the "wetland conservation plan" for the west Eugene wetland area. If approved, the City could be T h e Process of Evolution authorized to issue certain types of wetland permits. The City also has asked the Corps of Engineers to 1989 – Original west Eugene wetland inventory completed approve an "abbreviated permitting procedure" for all August 1992 – West Eugene Wetlands Plan adopted by Lane County and City of Eugene wetland areas designated for development in the plan. If the plan and the requested permitting procedure are February 1993 – West Eugene Wetlands Plan upheld by Land Use Board of Appeals and Oregon approved, applicants would have a simpler and shorter Court of Appeals process to obtain a wetland permit. March 1993 – West Eugene Wetlands Plan adopted by Bureau of Land Management With state and federal approval of the City's re- June 1993 – New zoning provisions for west Eugene wetland areas approved by Eugene Planning quests, property owners will need to file only one ap- Commission plication at the Eugene Permit and Information Cen- September 1993 – West Eugene wetland mitigation bank initiated ter for local, state, and federal wetland permits. A joint public notice and a description of the pro - October 1993 – West Eugene Wetlands Plan submitted to state and federal regulatory agencies for posed actions by the DSL and Corps of Engineers are review and approval expected to be issued in February. The agencies will November 1993 – Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan adopted by City of Eugene act on the City's requests following a 45 -day public December 1993 – West Eugene supplemental wetland inventory prepared review period. Zoning Changes Proposed to Protect Natural Resources Proposed changes to the Eugene zoning code that The Eugene Planning Commission gave its ap- would protect natural resources in the West Eugene proval to the proposed zoning ordinances in June 1993, Wetlands Plan area are being considered by the City of after notifying potentially affected property owners and Eugene and Lane County. The following zoning pro- a joint public hearing with the Lane County Planning visions would apply in the West Eugene Wetlands Plan Commission. Hearings before City and County elected study area: officials will be scheduled following state and federal • Form a Natural Resources District to give full review of the ordinances. The Oregon Division of State protection to publicly owned natural resource Lands and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are re- areas. viewing all aspects of the West Eugene Wetlands Plan, • Establish a Wetland Buffer Subdistrict to limit including the proposed zoning ordinances. uses adjacent to protected wetland areas. For more information on the new zoning provi- • Create a Waterside Protection Subdistrict to sions, call the City of Eugene Planning Department at limit uses adjacent to protected streams and 687 -5481. channels.