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RECEIVED <br /> 9. <br /> RY CITY MANAGER <br /> J UN 1 2005 <br /> East Fork Amazon Headwaters Preservation <br /> 5020 Nectar Way • Eugene, OR 97405 • 484 -2210 <br /> June 1, 2005 <br /> City Council and Mayor <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 777 Pearl Street <br /> Eugene, OR 97401 <br /> • <br /> Re: City Council Work Session'on June 8, 2005 <br /> Dear City Councilors and Mayor Piercy, <br /> Thank you for your time and consideration on the matter of preserving the East Fork <br /> Amazon Headwaters Forest (formerly known as the Nectar /Dillard Forest). You may ask <br /> "What is so special about this parcel of land that it should be acquired by the City ?" This <br /> letter, and the following attachments, are intended to help answer this question. <br /> This 40 -acre property is a unique and irreplaceable asset for the entire community. It <br /> has been identified in the City of Eugene's inventory of natural resource areas for <br /> several years as the highest ranked site and is possibly the most pristine unprotected <br /> natural site within the Eugene - Springfield Metro Area. This site has never been logged <br /> and shows no evidence of human invasion with the exception of a few trails made by <br /> both humans and the abundant wildlife. This parcel spans from 810' to 530' in <br /> elevation. It includes steep slopes, two main stream channels merging in a flood plain <br /> with woven channels at the low point. This property also hosts old growth Douglas fir, <br /> oak, maple and ash trees as well as riparian and upland wildlife habitat and roughly 3 <br /> acres of wetlands. <br /> Preliminary surveys for rare plants and animals, found the forest provides suitable <br /> habitat for at least two rare upland plants, wayside aster (Aster vialis) and tall bugbane <br /> (Cimicifugas elata) and one rare animal, the red legged frog (Rana aurora). There have <br /> been numerous sightings of the pileated woodpecker as well. Although no longer <br /> endangered, there is still concern for this species and, as their nests host 40 to 50 other <br /> species, they are a valuable part of the diversity found in this forest. <br /> Preservation of this parcel is critical not only for its own sake, but for water quality and <br /> storm water retention. The headwater streams located within this property are highly <br /> susceptible to impact from development which would adversely effect downstream <br /> water quality. The downstream water is Amazon Creek which is contiguous to Fern <br /> 1 <br />