WEW Sustainable Management Strategy Implementation Plan Analysis

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PROJECT STATUS DATE: 1/5/09 BRIEFING FOR: OREGON STATE DIRECTOR PREPARED BY: Patricia Johnston (541) 520 -2159 FROM: SUBJECT: WEST EUGENE WETLANDS PROJECT/PARTNERSHIP PURPOSE OF THE BRIEFING DOCUMENT: Update 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 West Eugene Wetlands Partnership currently has nine member organizations, representing a diversity of local government, state government, federal government, and non - profit organizations. The entities have each signed a "Statement of Partnership" that outlines a mission and broad goals and objectives. Collaboration and cooperation comprise the heart of the Partnership. This collaborative approach makes large, complicated, and expensive jobs possible. The nine member agencies are: 1. City of Eugene (original member, joined in 1994) U.S. Bureau of Land Management (original member, joined in 1994) 3. The Nature Conservancy (original member, joined in 1994) 4. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (joined in 1996) 5. Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (joined in 1996) 6. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (joined in 2001) 7. McKenzie River Trust (joined in 2003) 8. Willamette Resources and Educational Network (joined in 2003) 9. Long Tom Watershed Council (joined in 2007) MAIN DECISION OR MESSAGE: The success of the West Eugene Wetlands Project is based on local support and collaboration that has forged effective community partnerships. The WEW helps meet the State Director's priorities of Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance, CCI /CCS goals, outdoor recreation and noxious weed control. The WEW also helps meet the DOI and BLM National priorities of cooperative conservation and ESA. ince the early 1990's, the Eugene District has been funding the WEW program from within its existing budget. There has never been oase 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. As decreases in funding continue in all subactivities, the District will not be able to maintain the WEW program in its current form. The Eugene District requests the immediate assistance of the OR/WA State Office (OSO) in helping to scope out future alternatives and opportunities for the WEW program. Specifically, the Eugene District requests administrative support to create a sustainable management strategy, and appropriate staff to participate in strategy discussions, (including SO briefings). 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 that satisfies all legal requirements and expectations from our partners. Please see DRAFT West Eugene Wetlands Proposal for a Sustainable Management Strategy.