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0EUGENE <br /> EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER <br /> eptember 4, 2003 <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 <br /> (541)682-5010 <br /> (541)682-5414(FAX) <br /> wvwv.ci.eugene.or.us <br /> (IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION 1 <br /> NATURAL AREA IN ALTON BAKER PARK TO BE ENHANCED WITH HELP OF GRANT <br /> WEST EUGENE PARKWAY APPEAL UPDATE <br /> 'AROUND THE CITY 1 <br /> Natural Area in Alton Baker Park to be Enhanced with Help of Grant <br /> The City of Eugene recently received a two-year, $71,000 <br /> matching grant from the Oregon Department of Fish and <br /> Wildlife to further enhance the Whilamut Natural Area of . , -i , <br /> Alton Baker Park. The natural area contains more than ' <br /> 230 acres in the eastern section of the park dedicated to <br /> the preservation of natural resources, low-impact t r . sr-� <br /> recreation and wildlife habitat. Matching funds are �" , ; <br /> CublicWorksparksandopenspacepiv.sion.rimarily comprised of existing staff resources from the ~t ,l_p � ' 6 +, t <br /> tt ._' . ' — <br /> Funds from this grant will help develop a habitat ; <br /> restoration plan for the natural area, remove existing ._ .. <br /> invasive, non-native vegetation, plant and monitor new , <br /> native species along the Willamette River and in the • ,, ' <br /> adjacent upland prairie, and create educational signage. t - ` • •I <br /> The grant will build on previous riparian restoration <br /> projects that Eugene Stream Team volunteers have Stream Team Volunteers work in the Whilamut Natural Area <br /> undertaken in the park, such as removing blackberries and earlier this year. <br /> planting native plants. Stream Team volunteers have <br /> been invited to plant native tree species along the river bank as part of the next phase of restoration in the natural area. <br /> "The invasive blackberries at the water's edge provide limited habitat value," says Carolyn Weiss, parks planner. "The <br /> diversity of a restored native riparian environment will greatly improve the quality of wildlife habitat." For more <br /> information about the grant or the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker, contact Carolyn Weiss at 682-4914. <br /> West Eugene Parkway Appeal Update <br /> On August 27, the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed LUBA's decision on the West Eugene Parkway appeal, rejecting the <br /> arguments made by the Friends of Eugene. The court issued its decision without a written opinion. As detailed in a <br /> March 27, 2003 memorandum, LUBA's decision was generally favorable to the governments overall, but did remand the <br /> matter to adopt findings that: <br /> 1. Explain that the parkway's realignment will be compatible with the adjacent agricultural areas or be made compatible <br /> through measures designed to reduce adverse impacts; <br /> 1 2. Consider and address accessibility impacts on rural lands that can be attributed to the parkway realignment; <br /> EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 <br />