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12. PARTNERSHIPS/PUBLIC SUPPORT — Describe your involvement with partnerships from other <br /> agencies, groups or individuals and whether or not funding support is being provided from these agencies <br /> or groups. Describe local support for the project through local agency involvement, agency support and <br /> public participation in the formulation of the project through public meetings, public workshops, or other <br /> methods to gather citizen input, support and involvement for the project. <br /> The City of Eugene has an excellent and deserved reputation for working closely with a broad <br /> variety of partners to accomplish natural resource and recreation goals. The nationally <br /> renowned West Eugene Wetlands Program involves partnerships with the Bureau of Land <br /> Management, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Nature Conservancy. The Delta Ponds <br /> Restoration and Recreation project indudes funding from the State Parks Local Govemment <br /> Grants Program, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Land Management, and many <br /> local organizations and individuals. The City of Eugene has gained valuable experience and <br /> resources from these previous partnerships and intends to build upon these relationships for <br /> further benefit to the community. <br /> Our chief partner to date in this project is The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The three -week <br /> deadline given to us by the developer of the property initiated an urgent search for other <br /> sources of funding. The Nature Conservancy, based on our long- standing and successful <br /> partnership stepped up to provide "bridge funding" needed to complete the purchase. Our <br /> agreement with TNC, is that they will provide $300,000 and we will provide $300,000 to meet <br /> the owners offer of $600,000. TNC and the City of Eugene will become temporary po ry joint owners <br /> in the property with the understanding that the City will purchase TNC's stake in the property <br /> when funding is found. Our partnership in this transaction represents a great deal of eamed <br /> trust between the two organizations. <br /> The Southeast Neighbors (SEN), a neighborhood association in which the <br /> project parcel is <br /> located, has been very pro-active regarding open space acquisition opportunities; over the past <br /> seven years then have repeatedly encouraged the city to purchase available parcels in the <br /> Upper Amazon Basin. SEN has also partnered with the city in a trail maintenance project, and <br /> we expect they will be very supportive of efforts to improve neighborhood access in this new <br /> parcel <br /> As stated previously, the City of Eugene is currently updating the Parks Recreation and Open <br /> Space comprehensive plan under the direction of a Mayors Advisory Committee. Public <br /> outreach shows that there is significant support for the kind of acquisition this project proposes. <br /> Public priorities include providing opportunities to enjoy nature and acquisition of ecologically <br /> significant sites; preserving viewsheds; accessing parks without driving to them; interconnecting <br /> the City's existing parks and open space and improving connections along Amazon Creek. <br /> Please find the attached letters of support from several of our supporting partners including The <br /> Nature Conservancy, Lane Council of Govemments, Lane County Parks, and Northwest Youth <br /> Corps. Several additional letters of support promised have not yet been received, and will be <br /> faxed or sent directly to the Local Govemment Grants Program. <br /> c <br />