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Amazon Creek Projects <br /> Eugene, Lane County, Oregon <br /> Background: In a series of projects in the 1950's and 1960's, the Corps, with the City of <br /> Eugene as a local sponsor, altered Amazon Creek by deepening, straightening, and diverting <br /> three-quarters of its flow to Fern Ridge Reservoir to reduce flooding impacts in Eugene and <br /> nearby areas. Likewise, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (then the Soil Conservation <br /> Service) altered several Amazon Creek tributaries now named the "A" Channel (old Amazon <br /> Creek), and the "A-1, A-2 and A-3 Channels" in western Eugene and portions of Upper Amazon <br /> Creek above 29th Avenue. Until the late 1990's Amazon Creek served limited functions for <br /> flood control and storm conveyance through a concrete-lined section from 24th Avenue to <br /> Jefferson Street and an earthen, trapezoidal channel on much of its length elsewhere, including <br /> the NRCS tributaries and the old Amazon Creek "A" segment (refer to Amazon Creek Projects <br /> map). <br /> In the early 1990's the City of Eugene began to view Amazon Creek and its potential in a new <br /> light relative to its multiple water resources values. With adoption of the West Eugene Wetland <br /> Plan in 1992 and the Comprehensive Storm water Management Plan in 1993, the City realized <br /> that Amazon Creek could serve valuable environmental functions as an urban stream. Not only <br /> could Amazon Creek convey storm water and provide flood protection, but it could help remove <br /> pollutants during low flows, provide better wildlife habitat, be a more scenic recreational <br /> corridor, and with better vegetation management, and reduced bank erosion. <br /> Existing Projects: Foremost among Amazon Creek projects is the West Eugene Wetland <br /> Program. Through partnerships among the City of Eugene, BLM,The Nature Conservancy and <br /> others, over 2,000 acres of land has been purchased in west Eugene. The City formed a <br /> mitigation bank and has applied wetland restoration and enhancement on over 240 acres in west <br /> Eugene. Paths and trails have been constructed with accompanying signage to improve <br /> recreational and educational opportunities along Amazon Creek and its tributaries. Newsletters, <br /> outreach to schools and community organizations, and an annual Amazon Appreciation Day <br /> have raised public awareness about Amazon Creek's values. The City of Eugene also operates s <br /> Stream Team volunteer program and a number of groups have adopted wetlands and sections of <br /> Amazon Creek. <br /> Currently the City of Eugene is working with the Corps on a new wetland study in the Bethel <br /> neighborhood, known as the "Royal Node". The results of this study are likely to result in <br /> future expansion and amendments to the West Eugene Wetland Plan. <br /> In 1996-97, the City of Eugene and Oregon Department of Transportation used ISTEA and local <br /> funds to restore a 2-mile segment of Amazon Creek from Bailey Hill Road to Terry Street. This <br /> project widened sections of the trapezoidal channel configuration and provided shallower bank <br /> slopes. In addition, a paved bicycle path was constructed parallel to the restored Creek. <br /> Riparian and wetland plants were seeded and planted to improve habitat and bank stability. <br /> In 1999, the Corps and City began a Water Resources Development Act section 1135 <br /> improvement on a 400-acre portion of Lower Amazon Creek immediately north of the above <br />