WEW Sustainable Management Strategy Implementation Plan Analysis

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• Community Partner Conservation Leadership Award, presented to Steve Gordon (Planner for Lane Council of Governments) by The Nature Conservancy of Oregon (2003). • National Wetlands Award for Local Government, presented to Steve Gordon, co- sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute and federal agencies (1992). The WEW contributes to BLM's compliance with the Endangered Species Act, Executive Order 11990- - Protection of Wetlands and the Clean Water Act. The WEW also helps the State Director meet the DOI and BLM National priorities of cooperative conservation, outdoor recreation and noxious weed control. CURRENT BUDGET SITUATION Since the early 1990's, the Eugene District has been supporting the WEW program within its base funding. There has never been a base allocation for the WEW or ear - marked funds to support the acquired lands (or the associated WEW program) except during the acquisition phase using LWCF. BLM's capacity to effectively manage its portion of the project has been significantly reduced as decreased funding continues in all sub - activities. Essentially, "discretionary funds in the Eugene District have been reduced leaving the District no choice but to reduce support to the WEW program in 2009. Funding is needed to support recovery efforts for three federally list plant species and one federally listed butterfly species. Approximately 74% of the known populations for these four species are on BLM administered lands. In addition to the federally listed species, there are sixteen more Bureau Sensitive species found in the WEW, eleven wildlife species and five botanical species. The current funding situation will no longer allow the BLM to continue the support it has been providing to the nationally recognized partnership and to the community. Basic operations and facility management can only be minimally covered as budgets decline. Beginning in October, 2009, BLM will not have a lead role in the WEW Partnership as a result of the 2010 re- organization plan (TTO). Staffing will be decreased from two FTEs to one. BLM's role is pivotal to the success of all the WEW partners working together to achieve a bcommon goal. The BLM is the largest land manager within the partnership and has provided leadership bringing var ies year to year. partners together around a common goal. The BLM's annual contribution buted approximately to $408,000, which (See WEW Five Year Expenditure History.) In 2009, BLM co includes the cost of the two FTE positions. The other contributes about $1.27 mill million an e annual bas g to and The Nature Conservancy. The City of Eugene c the WEW for restoration and management, while The Nature Conservancy spends approximately $370,000 annually in the WEW. IMPLICATIONS There are three legs of implementation for the West Eugene Wetlands Project: • Land Acquisition, • Restoration and Resource Protection, and • Education and Outreach to ensure long term sustainability. Land Acquisition The land acquisition phase, while still active for the WEW iron Funds. However, there still 1 kBy rare with the expenditure of the allocated Land and Water Conservation Willamette wet prairie habitat parcels that are at risk d to be included private overall recovery strategy gy for BLM - administered lands. It is desirable for these parcels WEW Background and Options _ - -- _ - __ -- Page 3 - — - -- — — —