Corps G I Study 2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ISTEA project. Now after the third year of construction the levees along the controlled channel have been relocated, wetlands have been restored adjacent to the Amazon, and a new bike path is planned using TEA-21, Corps and City funding (scheduled to begin construction in 2002). Portions of this project undertook improvements to portions of the NRCS "A" and A-3 Channels. To date, this project has been a tremendous success and is well embraced in the community. In 2001, the City of Eugene relocated a segment of the Fern Ridge path near Oak Patch Road. Along with this relocation a 500 lineal foot channel widening and bank restoration improvement of Amazon Creek was constructed, complete with wetland and riparian plantings. In addition to the west Eugene wetland acquisition program, the City has identified priority stream corridors, and parks and open space sites for potential acquisition. These purchases include areas within the headwaters of Amazon and Willow Creeks and are using stormwater and park bond funds to continue land acquisition. Problems and Opportunities: Amazon Creek and its tributaries drain over 50% of the City of Eugene, including both the west Eugene and Highway 99 industrial corridors (served primarily by the A-3 and A-1 Channels, respectively). The majority of the Amazon main stem has the capacity for at least a 25-year storm event and portions of the main stem can accommodate a 50- year storm event. The majority of potential capacity problems occur in the concrete-lined section of the channel from 24th Avenue to the Fairgrounds. The solutions identified to date are very costly and infeasible due to the proximity of existing development to the Creek. There are still areas along Amazon Creek where future urban development areas lie within the 100-year floodplain. Identifying key areas of floodplain for protection and restoration would be beneficial. Amazon Creek is the receiving stream for urban runoff in the City and from agricultural runoff in the rural area. Sections of the Creek fall within the DEQ's 303d list for temperature, dissolved oxygen,bacteria and toxic materials. Eugene does not currently have water quality design requirements for new development, however is sheducled to adopt these requirements by early 2003. These new water quality design requirements will only ensure that the water quality condition does not worsen appreciably, but will not address the existing water quality conditions. Addressing the existing water quality condition is a huge challenge. While Amazon Creek is not a salmon-bearing stream, it contains fish and is a tributary of the Long Tom River and ultimately the Willamette River for which spring Chinook is listed as a threatened species. The riparian zone adjacent to the Creek is thin or non-existent in much of its stretch. Restoring vegetation along the Creek would help reduce water temperature, improve water quality, improve wildlife habitat, improve bank stability, and provide a better scenic corridor. Opportunities for improved bottomland riparian forest restoration exist in some places. Wetlands adjacent to the Creek contain remnants of rare Willamette Valley wet prairie and the suite of threatened, endangered, and sensitive plants and animals associated with that plant community. There are some headwater areas of Amazon and Willow Creeks, which contain oak woodlands and savannas worthy of protection from a Willamette Valley biodiversity perspective.