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3). Environmental Impacts of Proposed Action <br />The Parks and Open Space Division includes a Natural Resource Section that is dedicated to the planning <br />work and both long -term and short-term operational tasks associated with trails and natural area <br />management. This section has 20 full -time employees with an annual budget of $3.25 million. Ten of those <br />employees, along with a number of seasonal employees, are dedicated to on- the - ground operations work, <br />while the other ten provide technical expertise and planning to direct the overall work program. This <br />Section has the commitment and proven experience to successfully manage this property. <br />Land use (project site and surrounding area)- This project will have a beneficial impact on surrounding <br />land use by extending the Ridgeline Park System. This string of upland parks delineates the City's southern <br />border following the ridgeline of the south hills. It totals over 1,200 acres and includes Spencer Butte, the <br />highest point in the City. Directly adjacent to the project area is a 226 acre City -owned open space park. <br />Fish and Wildlife- This project will have a beneficial impact on fish and wildlife by enhancing existing <br />habitat through long -term management actions. <br />Vegetation - This project will have a beneficial impact on native vegetation by enhancing existing habitat <br />through long -term management actions. Future trails will be sited to minimize vegetation disturbance. <br />Geology and soils- This project will have a neturai impact on geology and soils by leaving them undisturbed <br />and in its current condition. Future trails will be 'sited to minimize erosion. <br />Mineral resources - This project will have a neutral impact on mineral resources by leaving them <br />undisturbed. No specific information about mineral resources are known on this site. <br />Air and water quality- This project will have a neutral impact on air quality and a beneficial impact on <br />water quality by enhancing existing stream corridors through long -term management actions. <br />Water resources/hydrology- This project will have a beneficial impact on existing floodplain/wetlands on <br />site through long -term management of the resources. <br />Historic/archeological resources - This project will have a netural impact on historical/archeological <br />resources by leaving them undisturbed. No information regarding such resources exists on this site. <br />Transportation/access - This project will have a beneficial impact on transportation and access by improving <br />neighborhood access to the 1,200 acre Ridgeline Trail system. <br />Consumption of energy resources - This project will have a beneficial impact on consumption of energy <br />resources by providing close -to -home recreation opportunities, lessening the need to drive out of town to <br />access similar resources. <br />Socio - Economic Effects- This project will have beneficial social effects by providing close proximity to <br />recreational trails provides opportunities for residents to live healthy and active lives, while also providing <br />opportunities to appreciate and learn about natural systems. Also, this project protects the visual quality of <br />the ridgeline for all residents, provides viewpoints along the trail itself, helps provide a visual contrast to <br />developed urban areas to the north, and helps define the southern edge of the city. Its preservation as a <br />wooded natural area helps maintain the community's sense of place. <br />This project will have beneficial economic effects by helping make Eugene a desireable place to live. The <br />Ridgeline Trail has been featured prominently in tourist brochures and in magazine articles about the <br />livability of Eugene. Improvements to the system will continue to draw people to the region based on the <br />quality of life it affords. Acquisition of the headwater streams will lead to overall,long -term reduced <br />