Standards (2) through (10) and (13) through (19). Standard (19) requires that "High activity areas, <br /> including traffic lanes, loading docks, and group gathering areas shall be located as far away from <br /> wetlands, water features and other protected natural areas as is practicable." <br /> • EmX construction adjacent to Amazon Creek would need to be set back far enough from the edge of the <br /> channel so as not to restrict adequate and appropriate access for routine and emergency channel <br /> maintenance practices and repairs. The minimum distance for maintenance would need to be 30 feet <br /> from top of bank, however distances closer to the 60 foot maximum would be much more functional and <br /> would allow maintenance access without compromising as much of the riparian area. <br /> • Amazon Creek does not currently meet State water quality standards for dissolved oxygen, water <br /> temperature, and suspended solids. City staff has been working hard to improve water quality by <br /> planting riparian trees and shrubs, using maintenance practices that minimize erosion and preserve <br /> native vegetation, and through planning efforts such as the Metro Waterways study that will result in <br /> future enhancement projects along Amazon Creek. Locating the EmX along Amazon Creek has the <br /> potential to further degrade water quality by: <br /> o increasing run off due to the added impervious roadway surface. This not only results in <br /> higher flood risk downstream, but also washes unwanted pollutants such as oil and other vehicle <br /> wastes that have accumulated on the road directly into Amazon Creek. <br /> o increasing erosion by restricting riparian corridors and eliminating the ability to undertake <br /> longer term creek enhancement projects that will stabilize banks; <br /> o increasing water temperature and decreasing dissolved oxygen by restricting the ability to <br /> plant a wide enough riparian buffer to provide adequate shading of the creek. <br /> o increasing the potential for an accidental oil or gas spill into Amazon Creek as the result of an <br /> vehicle accident or mechanical failure. <br /> • Amazon Creek, as with most waterways, can function as an important migration corridor for plants and <br /> wildlife, provided enough of the habitat is left intact. As our community continues to grow and the areas <br /> adjacent to our waterways are developed, these corridors will continue to be fragmented and will no <br /> longer provide the complete habitat connectivity needed for many of our native species. Locating a <br /> major transportation route along Amazon Creek not only reduces the amount of riparian habitat to an <br /> even more narrow corridor, but it also increases the number of incidences of wildlife being hit and killed <br /> along the roadway. <br /> • The Amazon Creek corridor is a significant Parks and Open Space amenity that serves as a key <br /> alternative transportation route (e.g., for pedestrian and bicycle users), providing recreational <br /> connectivity through a major part of south Eugene. Many people love to walk or ride along the creek as <br /> it provides a small respite from the noise and busyness of public streets. City staff, numerous adoption <br /> groups, and Stream Team volunteers have been working for over a decade to enhance the natural <br /> resource, aesthetic, and recreational values of Amazon Creek. Locating EmX immediately adjacent to <br /> Amazon Creek has the potential to significantly (and negatively) alter the aesthetic and recreational <br /> features of this vitally important park asset. <br /> In summary, we would like to see the discussions around locating the West Eugene EmX along the Amazon <br /> Creek be done with careful consideration of its impacts on flooding, bank failure, water quality, fish and <br /> wildlife habitat, riparian plant communities, recreation, aesthetics, and connectivity. We feel it is especially <br /> important that any transportation planning take into account all of the prior planning, prioritization, and <br /> implementation of natural resource and recreational improvements along Amazon Creek. <br />