East Fork Amazon Headwaters; OPRD Local Govt Grant 2008

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S. SOURCE OF FUNDING - Provid information about the sources of funding for local match. a) How firm is your local match — have the matching funds been committed to this project by your council, board or commission? b) Describe whether or not funds have been included in current parks budget and whether or not they are available immediately. c) Describe any in -kind donations (volunteer labor, donated materials, etc) for this project. d) What other local commitments, partnerships, use of inmate labor, etc. and support is there? e) Is the local match available at the time of application? 0 Describe agency's ability to meet long -term maintenance costs for the project. (See also #8 Source of Fundina Worksheet) The East Fork Amazon Headwaters property has recently been appraised at $3.8 million. The City has identified $570,000 for this project to come from the 2006 Parks and Open Space Bond Measure, a Stream Corridor Acquisition fund, and Park System Development Charge funds. These funds are available imme- diately. In addition, the current property owner has agreed to a donation in the amount of $380,000, and it is anticipated that $1.9 million in grant funds will be secured through an acquisition grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. These resources equal 75% of the total cost of acquisition, with a request to OPRD/LGG for the remaining 25 %. The property would be one of the top priority sites for trail construction funds. A mile -plus long trail con- necting Nectar Way to the BPA maintenance road, and on up to the existing Ridgeline trail is envisioned. On trail maintenance and construction projects, we have sought as many methods and resources as possible including contracts with private businesses and with state service providers such as the Sheriffs jail crew, Northwest Youth Corps, in -kind services, volunteer efforts, and Recreational Trail Program grants. The City is extremely successful in engaging the public in conservation efforts and trail maintenance through volunteer programs. Four full -time employees coordinate volunteer activities in the parks and open space system that range from trail maintenance and upkeep, to removing invasive species and replanting with natives. Youth are a main focus of these volunteer programs, and partnerships with local schools provide abundant opportunities to incorporate educational programming into volunteer opportunities. The Parks and Open Space Division includes a Natural Resource Section that is dedicated to the planning work and both long -term and short-term operational tasks associated with trails and natural area manage- ment. This section has 20 full -time employees with an annual budget of $3.25 million. Ten of those em- ployees, along with a number of seasonal employees, are dedicated to on- the - ground operations work, while the other ten provide technical expertise and planning to direct the overall work program. This Section has the commitment and proven experience to successfully manage these sites as indicated by a recent award. The Oregon State Land Board's 2006 Wetland Project Award was awarded to the City of Eugene for the restoration of 77 acres of wetland prairie, vernal pool and emergent wetland habitat at Dragonfly Bend. In presenting the award, State Treasurer Randall Edwards, a Land Board member, said the project "serves as a model, not only because of its high quality habitat restoration, but for going above and beyond established wetland mitigation bank standards ". One of the most expensive maintenance costs incurred on similar sites is the initial often substantial effort required to clear off invasive species such as ivy, blackberry, and scotch broom. After the majority of these species have been removed, the follow -up work tends to be less labor and capital intensive. This site ex- hibits a very low level of invasion by non - native plant species, a condition very rare within the urban area, and one which would require relatively minimal effort to maintain. The long -term maintenance costs of this acquisition site's stream corridors are likely to be considerably less than they would be if the parcel was developed. If the property is developed into 113 residential home sites as is proposed, the change in impervious area and modifications to the existing vegetation could have significant impacts on this head- water stream necessitating much more intensive and expensive maintenance needs downstream.