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Q , 0, <br /> NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY <br /> 1-7 <br /> E z OF OREGON <br /> — (MIN <br /> Dedicated to the enjoyment, conservation, and study <br /> DUNDED 1e61 of Oregon's native vegetation <br /> John Etter <br /> Parks Maintenance Division <br /> 1800 Roosevelt <br /> Eugene, OR 97402 January 7, 1995 <br /> Dear Mr. Etter: <br /> Several of our members recently have been stunned by the destruction of what <br /> appears to be several to many Bradshaw's desert parsley (Lomatium bradshawii) <br /> plants in Amazon Park. As you know well, this is a federal and state listed <br /> endangered species, of which only a few sizeable populations are known. We <br /> request an immediate halt to disturbance in the area, and your immediate attention <br /> to the following points. <br /> 1) After some problems years ago, City staff (particularly Tim Rhey and the <br /> mowing crews) had become very cooperative and responsible in <br /> stewarding this important population of the plant during the last few <br /> years. The destruction of plants along the trail occurring with the <br /> installation of light poles and underground wires is a sudden departure <br /> from previous policy and attitude. <br /> 2) The Public Works Department has maps of the plants covering at least a <br /> part of the project area where plants have been destroyed. Why were <br /> these maps not provided to field crews, and /or why were populations <br /> not flagged and staked in the field for them? On a visit to the site <br /> January 7th, vehicle tracks were observed through the main <br /> population area, trailside areas occupied by the plant had been <br /> excavated and refilled, and heavy equipment was operating within the <br /> population area as trailside work was being conducted. Construction <br /> workers driving over the now - invisible plants said they had been <br /> informed by "Hal from Public Works" that the plants were in the <br /> middle of the open area and that area should be avoided. This is <br /> sadly inaccurate. Why are plants being destroyed as a part of this <br /> project while a "taking" mitigation concurrently is being planned for <br /> loss of possibly fewer plants as a part of the nearby LTD project? <br /> 3) A letter from one of our members (dated 20 April 1994) alerting you to <br /> the lack of planning and potential impacts of the lighting project on <br /> Emerald Chapter • P.O. Box 902 • Eugene, OR • 97440 <br />