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D e4ta Fonds Nature Park <br />Eugene City Council <br />Lane County Commission <br />Eugene, OR 97401 <br />Dear Councilors and Commissioners: <br />We, the undersigned, express strong support for establishing a Delta <br />PondslOebr. ck Slough Nature Park that would consist of the lands and waters <br />owned by the City of Eugene and Lane County north of the Willamette River in <br />the Goodpasture Island district of Eugene. <br />All of the area in question is presently in public ownership. All that is needed is a <br />firm commitment by the city and county to future, joint management of the site <br />as public park land. Much of the area is permanently under water, seasonal <br />wetland, or vegetated riparian zone. As such, we feel that little conflict should <br />arise regarding the general direction for best use of the area. Specific decisions <br />as to bike and walking path corridors, observation and interpretive structures, <br />best fishing and car parking locations, and extent of plant and wildlife buffers <br />remain to be decided, as well as provisions for disabled access and public safety. <br />We ask that a citizen advisory committee be established as soon as possible, <br />representing both Lane County and the City of Eugene, that will conduct an <br />open, public planning process for the area throughout the upcoming year. This <br />committee concept is similar to that established for East Alton Baker Park Tne <br />citizen committee will draw on volunteered expertise from landscape <br />architecture studios at the University of Oregon, as well as from local <br />conservation and fishing groups, to create and analyze proposals to be presented <br />for public review. City and county staff would be required only to provide access <br />to hydrologic and other information relevant to completion of a sound plan. <br />Upon completion of the planning process and acceptance of concept by the <br />public, the advisory committee would assist the city and county in acquiring <br />grants and donations of money, materials, and manpower sufficient to <br />implement the proposed park We feel lack of firm future funding should not be <br />used as a reason to delay a visioning process for this unique urban site. <br />This effort would represent positive cooperation between citizens of Eugene and <br />members of local government to create a public resource for the community that <br />neither could realize alone. <br />We look forward to working with you. <br />