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EXHIBIT E Dan Gleason 1282 E. 39th Pl. Eugene, OR 97405 Doug Post Superintendent of Parks 210 Cheshire St. Eugene, OR 97401 In January, 1992, I was asked to look at the conditions that exist at the Wayne Morse Ranch with respect to potential damage to or conflict with wildlife and unleashed dogs. I was not well acquainted with the area prior to this time and so it is somewhat difficult to assess the differences before and after use as an unleashed dog area. Historically, the pasture has been used by cattle and horses. This use would have been as least as damaging as anything caused by the current use by dogs. On my recent visits to the park, the most significant damage that I saw is occurring around the small stream in the middle of the pasture. The edges of the stream are severely trampled, to the extent that much of the vegetation is gone. This leads to very muddy conditions along the waters edge and some siltation of the stream itself. It would be best if dogs could be kept from the stream but I suspect that this would be difficult to accomplish. Apart from this, I see no other significant problems. On none of my visits did I see more than six dogs at any one time. The pasture is large and easily accommodates use by the number of dogs that I saw. I would guess that the effects on the wildlife will be minimal provided that the dogs have free run only within the confines of the pasture. Ground- nesting birds could be affected by dogs but a regular mowing cycle probably has a much greater negative effect on these species. I would need to examine the area again during the Spring and early Summer to more properly determine which birds are present and how they might be impacted. Other ground - dwelling animals (rodents, moles, snakes) are probably not significantly affected unless the use by dogs greatly increases. Again, mowing and the resulting lack of cover reduces the kinds and number of ground - dwelling animals that will be found throughout the year. The pasture does not have as much diversity of plants and animals as will be found in the surrounding woodland. The larger animals that will use this pasture are primarily nocturnal. These include deer, raccoon, and possum. Any of these animals could become a potential target for a large, free - running dog. The park hours posted, indicate that the park closes at dusk. I did not visit the park after dark and therefore I don't know how great this problem may be. A much greater impact on wildlife will probably occur if dogs are allowed free run within the wooded portions of the park. It is this part of the park that has the greatest variety of birds and rodents and the greatest potential for conflict with unleashed dogs. There are many squirrels and several species of birds throughout the underbrush and wooded portions of the park. A dogs attention is often directed by movement from one of these species. Harassment of these species by dogs would be disruptive to the well -being of these native animals. I strongly recommend that these areas be off limits to unleashed dogs. Dan Gleason ■ 1