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A ' t <br /> y <br /> NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF OREGON <br /> EMERALD CHAPTER <br /> P. O. Box 902 <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97440 <br /> April 16. 1992 <br /> Eugene Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> 201 Cheshire Street <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br /> Dear Commission Members: <br /> The Emerald Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon (NPSO) is writing to protest <br /> continuing and exacerbating environmental degradation at Wayne Morse Ranch <br /> Park due to what we see as overuse by off -leash dogs. We ask the Commission to <br /> institute a moratorium on dog use of the park until a detailed plan for protection of <br /> the environmental attributes of the park is in place. <br /> Our NPSO Chapter has approximately 80 members in Eugene, Springfield and <br /> environs. We took a field trip to the Wayne Morse Park on March 7. and were <br /> shocked to see how degraded the pasture and creek area had become since the park <br /> was opened to dogs last fall. In late March. we were pleased to learn that Parks <br /> Services Superintendent, Doug Post had recommended removing dogs from the Morse <br /> Park. However. we were surprised when articles in the local media informed us that <br /> the Parks Commission had failed to follow Mr. Post's recommendation: and voted to <br /> keep the park open to dogs. without major restrictions or environmental mitigation. <br /> We noted that steps may be taken to protect the north oak woodland from dogs. This is / <br /> very important. However, we were distressed that no plan tas outlined for <br /> protecting the pasture. stream. and wetland area from its present serious overuse by <br /> dogs. The impact on the stream seems to grow steadily worse, and unless dogs are <br /> greatly restricted or removed. it will probably continue to deteriorate through the <br /> spring and summer months. <br /> The Emerald Chapter of the Native Plant. Society discussed the situation at Morse <br /> Ranch Park at its April 13 monthly meeting and agreed to strongly urge the Parks <br /> Commission to place a moratorium on dog use at Wayne Morse Park until a plan for <br /> protecting the environment and either removing or substantially restricting the <br /> level of use by dogs has been written and approved. <br /> Please put us on your mailing list for updates on this issue. <br /> Sin c,ely , <br /> Dr Rhoda M. Love <br /> Conservation Co -Chair <br /> Copies Doug Post <br /> Ruth Bascom. Eugene City Council <br />