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A flier offering detailed schedule information has been included in today's council packet. For more information about the <br /> leaf program, call Tony Jobanek, at Public Works Maintenance at 682-4800, or the program's hotline at 682-5383. <br /> ( Stormwater Connections Newsletter Distributed This Saturday <br /> (4 <br /> Now The Fall 2003 issue of Stormwater Connections will be distributed as an insert in The <br /> Register-Guard this Saturday. The cover story portrays the current dilemma of rmwater <br /> pollution in local waterways despite progress made in the last 30 years. The wetland C O N N E C T IONS <br /> section of the newsletter has a new look and includes an article about an innovative <br /> "green pipe"approach to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in Eugene's <br /> waterways. The flood hazard section has also been modified; it is now presented in a <br /> question and answer format, addressing questions about flood insurance, building in <br /> a flood plain area, safety tips, and more. Although the Eugene area has not <br /> experienced flooding since 1996, flooding is not always predictable and can cause <br /> major inconveniences and/or property damage including disrupted transportation, <br /> road closures, and evacuation from homes and businesses. Readers will also find a "= - - <br /> wealth of information about an inexpensive and valuable way to provide nutrients to <br /> garden and planting beds through several methods of composting. <br /> This semi-annual newsletter has been produced by the Stormwater Management _ = <br /> Program since 1994 to increase awareness of surface water and natural resource <br /> issues. Copies of the newsletter have been placed in the Council Office. For more information, contact Kathy Eva, Public <br /> Information Specialist for the Stormwater Management Program, at 682-2739. <br /> Volunteer Efforts Aimed at Restoring Habitat, Views and Trails on Skinner Butte <br /> On November 1, City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division staff, in conjunction with volunteers from the Eugene <br /> Rotary Club,will spend a day restoring trails, improving habitat and restoring views on Skinner Butte. Guided by the <br /> Skinner Butte Park Master Plan and building on previous volunteer projects sponsored by the Eugene Rotary Club and <br /> Eugene Volunteers in Parks,work will focus on restoring native upland prairie habitat on the west slope of the butte, <br /> recovering views from the butte summit by removing several trees, and repairing a large segment of the summit loop trail <br /> to improve accessibility. <br /> Adopted in 2002, the park's master plan calls for restoration and long- <br /> term preservation of popular, historically significant views from the <br /> summit of Skinner Butte. Public input gathered showed that views <br /> .. from Skinner Butte are important for the identity of the community, but <br /> - A that a balanced approach should be taken to restore and protect them. <br /> �• - The plan outlines a unique, objective strategy for documenting views <br /> and setting clear guidelines for restoring views while protecting <br /> vV forested areas. <br /> The plan also calls for the protection and restoration of native upland <br /> prairie habitat, which once covered nearly all of Skinner Butte. Native <br /> prairie is now a highly endangered habitat type in the Willamette Valley, <br /> with less than one percent of the original habitat remaining. On <br /> Skinner Butte, most upland prairie has been lost to the encroachment of trees and invasive plant species, like Himalayan <br /> blackberry. Since the few, small areas of prairie habitat remaining on the butte are located where views are still present, <br /> the objectives of view restoration and habitat restoration can be combined. <br /> Trail restoration efforts are a high priority identified by the master plan. Rotary volunteers will clean and prepare the <br /> surface of the northern section of the summit loop path for a fresh overlay of asphalt. This, along with future volunteer and <br /> contractor efforts, will increase appropriate use of the butte and appreciation of its natural areas,while protecting those <br /> areas by managing access. <br /> Since 1996, the Eugene Rotary Club has sponsored several significant volunteer rehabilitation and beautification projects <br /> on Skinner Butte, including the Veteran's Memorial overlook and flag. To see a complete version of the Skinner Butte <br /> Park Master Plan, visit www.ci.eugene.or.us/PW/PARKS/SBP/sbpmplan.htm. For more information about this effort, <br /> contact Robin Hostick, parks planner for the project, at 682-4915, or Troy Kreger,Volunteers in Parks coordinator, at 682- <br /> 4845. <br /> L <br /> EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br /> October 23,2003 <br />