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1 ir ®el <br />L G <br />CO <br />LANE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS a <br />March 20, 2008 <br />Oregon Parks and Recreation Department <br />Local Government Grants Program <br />Attention: Michele Scalise <br />725 Summer St. NE, Suite C <br />Salem OR, 97301 <br />RE: East Fork Amazon Headwaters Land Acquisition Grant Application <br />Dear Ms. Scalise and members of the review committee, <br />On behalf of the Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), I would like to express our strong support for the City of <br />Eugene's proposed acquisition of lands in and around the East Fork of Amazon Creek. This valuable area has <br />been highlighted in two recent planning efforts in which LCOG has played a key role. These include: <br />Eugene - Springfield Metropolitan Waterways Study: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lane County, the <br />Eugene Water & Electric Board, LCOG, and the cities of Eugene and Springfield have been cooperating on a multi- <br />year study of the function and health of waterways in the greater metropolitan area. The study has recently <br />formulated a series of enhancement alternatives specific to the Amazon Creek watershed. In this proposal, the <br />East Fork of Amazon Creek was specifically called out in recognition of the high quality of the site and the important <br />function these headwater streams play in the overall health of a watershed. If the land were successfully acquired <br />by the City, the Metro Waterways Study would likely be utilized to help fund needed site improvements such as <br />channel stabilization, riparian planting, and wildlife habitat improvements_. More information on the study can be <br />found at www.metrowaterways.org <br />Ridgeline Area Open Space Vision and Action Plan: An open space vision was recently completed for this <br />important corridor located in the South Hills of Eugene and has been endorsed by the Eugene City Council, the <br />Lane County Board of Commissioners, and numerous interest groups. The ridgeline area extends twenty miles <br />from Fern Ridge Reservoir to the Buford Recreation Area (Mount Pisgah). The open space vision is multi- objective <br />and has identified key areas along this corridor for protection and enhancement. Although this effort did not identify <br />specific properties, the acquisition in the East Fork area is clearly supported by the goals articulated in the vision. <br />These include the preserving key habitats (older coniferous forest and headwater streams), providing recreational <br />and educational amenities within close proximity to the urban population, preservation of highly visible scenic <br />resources, and protection of water quality through preservation of headwater streams. More information on the <br />Ridgeline Open Space Vision can be found at www.Icog.org /ridgeline <br />Based on the direction provided by these two efforts and my personal knowledge of the East Fork property, I would <br />strongly support the City of Eugene's effort to acquire this highly valuable area. <br />Sincerely, <br />Jeff Krueger <br />Senior Landscape Architect <br />Lane Council of Governments <br />99 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 400, EUGENE, OREGON 97401 -3111 www.I cog. 0rg (541) 682 -4283 <br />