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sustainability include acquiring almost 3,000 acres of wetlands and <br /> associated uplands for permanent natural resources protection, protecting <br /> and expanding populations of plants and animals that are listed under the <br /> federal Endangered Species Act, actively enhancing or restoring 800 <br /> acres of wetlands and approximately 8,000 linear feet of streams, <br /> promoting alternative modes of transportation through construction of the <br /> Fern Ridge Path along the Amazon Creek Corridor, using primarily non - <br /> chemical modes of weed control and hazardous fuels reduction, and <br /> maintaining the genetic integrity of the native plant populations in the <br /> West Eugene Wetlands through the seed collection program. Community <br /> sustainability is demonstrated by constructing 2.5 miles of multi -use trails <br /> that meet APWA standards, completing an additional 1.5 miles of walking <br /> trails, providing year -round education programs with partner <br /> organizations, developing and installing interpretive signage throughout <br /> wetlands, and encouraging community participation in restoration efforts. <br /> The program provides economic sustainability by increasing developer <br /> certainty and confidence, operating the wetlands mitigation bank as a <br /> self- sustaining revolving fund, and serving as a model for high quality <br /> wetland restoration. <br /> Other winners of the 2004 Oregon APWA Julian Prize were the Tualatin <br /> Valley Water District in the policies category, and the City of Gresham's <br /> "Great Business" program on the area of practices. For more information <br /> about the West Eugene Wetlands Program and the Julian Prize for <br /> Sustainability, contact Eric Wold, Wetlands Program Supervisor, at 682- <br /> 4888. <br /> # ## <br /> Federal, State and Local Dignitaries Celebrate Newest Acquisition in <br /> the West Eugene Wetlands Yesterday <br /> As the fog lifted over the Willamette Valley yesterday morning, nature <br /> dramatically unveiled the newest acquisition in the Willow Creek Natural <br /> Area of the West Eugene Wetlands. Thanks to a $1.4 million conservation <br /> easement agreement between The Nature Conservancy, one of the West <br /> Eugene Wetlands partners, and Bonneville Power Administration, 165 <br /> acres of wetlands in west Eugene, including nearly 70 new acres of land <br /> just north of the core Willow Creek Natural Area, will be protected. The <br /> land acquisition was formally announced during a celebration yesterday <br /> with presentations from a wide range of high- ranking federal, local and • state officials " ' - <br /> including Jim r <br /> Connaughton, <br /> r gir <br /> chairman, White <br /> House Council on 1. <br /> r � . <br /> Environmental <br /> Quality (CEQ); <br /> Congressman <br /> Peter DeFazio; <br /> Mayor Jim Torrey; <br /> Jim Myron, • <br /> natural resource • r 300 <br /> policy advisor for "" 0 ' <br /> ovs, ,iO46 <br /> 411 +fix ;,' .. <br />