WEW Sustainable Management Strategy Implementation Plan Analysis

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PROJECT STATUS MEETING DATE: 11/30/09 BRIEFING FOR: OREGON STATE DIRECTOR PREPARED BY: William Hatton, Siuslaw Resource Area Manager 541 - 683 -6212 FROM: Eugene District Office SUBJECT: WEST EUGENE WETLANDS PROJECT/PARTNERSHIP PURPOSE OF THE BRIEFING DOCUMENT: Guidance from State Director on the West Eugene Wetlands Project/Partnership ISSUES: The West Eugene Wetlands (WEW) is a collection of noncontiguous parcels of wetland habitat that totals 3000 acres. The City of Eugene, The Nature Conservancy, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acquired and manages the land. BLM is responsible for managing 1300 acres of the WEW. The BLM's property was largely acquired with Land and Water Conservation Funds. Most of the BLM's property was acquired from 1991 -2000. The three landowners have worked collaboratively to acquire, restore, and maintain wetlands habitat. Although the BLM received dedicated funds to acquire properties, there has never been a dedicated funding sub - activity nor a base budget to manage the properties. The Eugene District Manager tasked the Siuslaw Resource Area Field Manager to develop alternatives for managing the WEW that can be implemented and is sustainable. MAIN DECISION OR MESSAGE: The Eugene District Office (EDO) is seeking support from the OR/WA State Director to establish dedicated funding to manage the BLM's portion of the WEW. National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) designation best fits the management goals for the WEW. If NLCS designation is not supported or is unattainable, the BLM should consider co- management of the WEW with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Regardless of which federal agency or combination of federal agencies manage the WEW, a Resource Management Plan (RMP) should be prepared. The RMP would formalize the management goals and direction for the WEW. A RMP for the WEW should be prepared in collaboration with the landowning partners. BUREAU PERSPECTIVE: The WEW Project is a nationally recognized success for how to form and maintain a long term partnership for acquiring, restoring, and maintaining wetlands habitat. The WEW Project has been a success for the local community and the BLM. The BLM has benefited through increased community presence, delivery of customer service, and increased efficiency through collaborative partnership implementation. The West Eugene Wetlands also helps the Department of the Interior and BLM meet the National priorities of cooperative conservation and Endangered Species management. To continue to be a relevant and reliable partner, BLM would benefit from a dedicated funding source and a sustainable management strategy.