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, : ‘ <br /> iy. , . , <br /> �``Tj << United States Department of the Interior e <br /> r te ' ' " ' ' BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT <br /> d f Eugene District Office <br /> �` �' TAKE PRIDE - <br /> ` P.O. Box 10226 INAMERicA <br /> Eugene, OR 97440 -2226 <br /> NRE3'[.YREFFRTD 173D www.edo. blm.gov <br /> Septemeber 2, 2008 <br /> Lane Transit District <br /> Attention: Tom Schwetz, LTD Director of Planning and Development <br /> P.O. Box 7070 <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br /> Dear Mr. SullwutL, <br /> On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management, West Eugene Wetlands Project Manager, <br /> Patricia K. Johnston, attended the two of LTD's Community Design Workshops that <br /> were intended to dialog with residents and businesses at a deeper level about sketch -level <br /> designs for the West Eugene EmX Extension project. I understand that LTD will use the <br /> feedback from the Community Design Workshops to modify the sketch -level designs. I <br /> understand in October, LTD will host an Open House to report back to the community <br /> and participating agencies any changes to the designs. After this open house, LTD will <br /> refine the alternatives and begin analyzing each alternative. I also understand that LTD <br /> is seeking comments through September 2, 2008 on the sketch -level designs. <br /> Stewart Road Alignment <br /> Steward Road essentially dead ends at Stewart Pond Overlook when traveling from west <br /> to east off of Bertelsen Road. Stewart Pond Overlook is a popular BLM- administered site <br /> for urban outdoor enthusiasts, including birders and dragonfly watchers. Stewart Pond is <br /> an officially designated Watchable Wildlife site. BLM would want to be sure that the <br /> analysis of the EmX and all the traffic that would be brought through the area once <br /> Stewart road was opened once again as a thru street would include impacts to the <br /> indigenous wildlife, as well as its impact to these recreational opportunities. <br /> This site is also popular with school groups, which park on the street along the Stewart <br /> Road. In looking at the cross - sections, it does not appear that there is enough road width <br /> to accommodate the road improvements for EmX, and include pedestrian, bicycle routes, <br />