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CVALCO <br />754 Olive St <br />PO Box 10286 <br />Eugene OR 97440 <br />March 28, 2008 <br />Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government <br />Grants Program <br />Attention: Michele Scalise <br />725 Summer St, NE, Suite C <br />Salem OR, 97301 <br />RE: Letter of Support for City of Eugene's East Fork <br />Amazon Headwaters Land Acquisition Grant Application <br />Dear Ms. Scalise and members of the Review Committee: <br />I am writing in support of the grant application referenced above. Eugene's 14 -mile <br />Ridgeline Trail is a unique attribute, and acquisition of land under this grant application <br />has significant positive ramifications for the 1,200 acre Ridgeline Park System. <br />As a visitor destination, Eugene and Lane County are renowned for our abundant <br />natural resources, and perhaps more importantly, for the value we place on them as <br />recreational assets, habitat and rare species preservation, and environmental education <br />resources. <br />Acquisition of the headwaters of Amazon Creek will not only help Eugene get closer to <br />its important goal of Ridgeline Park System completion through voluntary land <br />transitions, it will leverage investments made to improve over 2,000 acres of floodplain, <br />wetlands, and stream channel in the Amazon basin, which runs through the heart of <br />Eugene, forming a recreational corridor in conjunction with adjacent bicycle and running <br />paths. <br />Completion of the Ridgeline Park System is an important goal for the community, with <br />quality of life implications ranging from view shed protection to recreation and fitness to <br />education and environmental stewardship. The system is also a tourism asset, with the <br />potential to differentiate Eugene from other visitor destinations, making it a catalyst for <br />sustainable economic development. <br />The implications go beyond Eugene, supporting Oregon's reputation as a world class <br />destination. I hope your committee agrees that this is a wonderful opportunity to invest <br />in our collective future. <br />Sincerely, <br />Kari Westlund <br />President & CEO <br />Phone. <br />(541) 484-5307 <br />US & Canada <br />(800) 547 -5445 <br />Fax <br />(541) 343 -6335 <br />info@cvalco.org <br />VisitLaneCounty.oq <br />See All of Oregon in Lane County <br />