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construction of the arches might be much more complicated and expensive than they had initially planned <br />Mr. Biggs asked for information regarding the timeline for the protective wall Mr. Upton had previously <br />mentioned. Mr. Upton answered he was still seeking funding for that portion of the bridge project and <br />that, while no construction timeline had yet been firmly established, the wall would be constructed in the <br />spring or summer of 2010. <br />Mr. Sonnichsen asked what procedures ODOT had employed to deal with the Federal Highway Adminis- <br />tration (FHWA) and the National Parks Service (NPS) agencies' approval of the wall on the Eugene side of <br />the bridge project but not the Willamalane side. Mr. Upton noted that ODOT was drafting a letter to the <br />FHWA which fundamentally stated ODOT's opinion that not placing the wall did not represent a "4(f) <br />impact" with respect to the project and the FHWA's mandate to protect park lands, schools and similar <br />areas. He further noted that ODOT's strategy with respect to the wall areas of the bridge project were to <br />re- contour, re -fill and re- landscape those areas in a manner that would not constitute a transportation <br />facility being built on park lands. <br />Mr. Upton planned to coordinate with FHWA representatives regarding the bridge project and hoped that <br />they would be receptive to ODOT's position regarding their construction plans for the bridge project. <br />Mr. Upton further reported that ODOT also planned to coordinate with FHWA representatives regarding <br />the potential "6(f) impacts" of the bridge project. <br />Mr. Sonnichsen noted that Mr. Upton had the support of the Whilamut CPC. Mr. Upton thanked Mr. <br />Sonnichsen and replied that he might need to act with the support of the Whilamut CPC. <br />Mr. Upton, responding to a question from Mr. Ernst, noted that a slope easement was not planned for the <br />project but rather contouring and leaving fill to mitigate the effects of the project on the surrounding <br />landscape. <br />Mr. Upton commented he had investigated guidelines for the naming of bridges and learned that it was <br />primarily an Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) process rather than an ODOT one. He believed <br />that the OTC was considering recognizing one of its former members, Randy Pape, for the name of the <br />bridge. <br />Mr. Upton recommended that any CPC concerns regarding the bridge naming process should be forwarded <br />to OTC Chair Gail Achtennan. <br />Ms. Larison asked if issues surrounding the Pre's Trail running track related to the bridge project had been <br />resolved. Mr. Cooper responded that nothing had essentially changed in that regard since they had last <br />spoken. Mr. Upton offered that certain representatives from the local running community had issues <br />regarding the length of the trail. Mr. Upton stated that the issue had not yet been resolved <br />Mr. Cooper maintained that the Pre's Trail running track was expected to be fully restored after the <br />completion of the bridge project. <br />Mr. Cooper, responding to a question from Ms. Larison, noted that informal expedition to the running <br />track had been conducted prior to the last CPC meeting. <br />Mr. Upton asked if any CPC members had any information regarding the northeast area of the bridge <br />project which contained an open field with a number of horses. Mr. Hyde noted that he thought horses <br />had been in that area for a long time but could not speak to whether any official agreements existed <br />between the Willamalane Park & Recreation District and the property owner. Mr. Upton was primarily <br />MINUTES — Citizen Planning Committee October 15, 2009 Page 3 <br />Whilamut Natural Area <br />