WEW Sustainable Management Strategy Implementation Plan Analysis

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• Identify the boundary of the RMP • Identify the costs for the planning process, potential funding sources and who will bear these costs • Special designations such as ACEC will be analyzed in this RMP process. Cooperative Management with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Management with the US Fish and Wildlife of BLM administered land in the WEW. Recent discussions with USF &W Service indicate interest to proceed with the development of an initial cooperative agreement. Education Center • Currently the City of Eugene has $1.75 million and an approved Conditional Use Permit for the building of the Education Center. ($1.6 million remaining funds to be raised.) • Congressional land transfer of education center site from BLM - administration to City of Eugene, pending implementation due to lack of gap funding to complete phase one of education center. • Non - profit partner, WREN, continues to deliver environmental education, youth conservation and citizen science programs in the WEW. WREN has also raised private funds to match City of Eugene funds. WREN currently is a strong candidate for Economic Development Agency funds, however lacks the current capacity to take on the center building project without some further support. • BLM has provided the leadership within the partnership to bring the project to its current status through the efforts of the WEW Project Manager. Withdrawing that support at this time will jeopardize the project. It is recommended that BLM continues to bring to this successful partnership the leadership skills of the WEW Project Manager through the successful construction of Phase 1. This does not implicate BLM funding for the center, nor long term management costs of a facility, however, brings resources to bear, where partners were counting on BLM participation and leadership. NLCS Designation Further discussion of this is specifically in the Congressional and Executive realm. As such, BLM should not drive external discussions of NLCS designation, and neither should encourage or discourage partners with regard to this issue. Basic Funding Level Based on previous analysis, initial base funding for the wetlands should be found to support the current two WEW positions, resource management maintenance, public safety infrastructure, and current partnership obligations. The five year average (2005 -2009) annual cost is $520,000. Upon completion of the RMP, specific cost targets will be established in a business plan. Based on our process (see attached diagram), the next step will be to develop the implementation plan for the West Eugene Wetlands Sustainable Management Strategy based on the best option (or decisions). Once completed the Sustainable Management Strategy will: • Evaluate internal and external funding options • Evaluate capacity and need • Explore funding, management, and ownership options • Develop an exit strategy (from the current BLM Eugene District base funding approach) that honors commitments, and enables the WEW to continue to function sustainably. Page 2 of 2