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: Patricia Johnston (541) 520 -2159 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 Program is based upon the West Eugene Wetlands Plan, a multiple - objective, wetlands management and land use plan adopted by the City of Eugene and Lane County in 1992. The Plan was also adopted by the Oregon Department of State Lands and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1994. To date, it is the only Wetland Conservation Plan adopted by the state of Oregon, and one of the only plans of its type in the United States. The West Eugene Wetlands Partnership collaborates to implement the goals and policies originally established by the West Eugene Wetlands Plan. The EDO presents the Vision for the Future based on a series of discussions and consultation designed to guide and inform the decision making process. This vision represents the Eugene District's preference for future actions and corresponding decisions. The vision was informed by a synthesis of the options from the West Eugene Wetlands Sustainable Management Strate Background and Options paper. This Vision paper narrows the discussion pursuant to "determine the best option" The framework that was established to create the WEW Sustainable Management Strategy includes the following: 1. Develop Sustainable Management Strategy a. Create a list of BLM stakeholders who should be involved, and/or receive updates (PAO, Recreation, BLM Washington Ofce, etc.) b. Create a list of partners & stakeholders who should be involved and/or receive updates 2. Finalize Sustainable Management Strategy a. Facilitate internal and external discussions to determine the best option. b. Develop a plan to implement the best option 3. Implement Sustainable Management Strategy This may take several years to complete to ensure a smooth transition that satisfies all legal requirements and expectations from our partners. (NOTE: Italic text above represents tasks that are completed and are described in the WEW Sustainable Management Strategy: Background and Options paper. ) MAIN DECISION OR MESSAGE: The Eugene District is seeking the continued support and guidance of the OSO and the State Director as we e move from development of options and strategic planning to "finalize the best option." Once a "best option" is identified and fully supported by BLM management, the strategy team will shift its efforts to develop an implementation plan for the execution of the WEW: Sustainable Management Strategy. • The EDO is seeking OSO support to refine and implement the following strategic options and develop an execution plan to achieve a Sustainable Management Strategy for the West Eugene Wetlands: • NLCS Designation of the WEW • A Landscape scale Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the WEW • Co- management with the USFWS BUREAU PERSPECTIVE: The BLM support for the West Eugene Wetlands Project has resulted in significant success for the local community, and has benefited the BLM through increased community presence, delivery of customer service, and increased efficiency through collaborative partnership implementation. The West Eugene Wetlands also helps the DOI and BLM meet the National priorities of cooperative conservation and the Endangered Species Act. BLM needs a sustainable management strategy that ensures satisfaction of all legal requirements and addresses expectations from our our partners.