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<br /> in seeking timely resolution to the City's wastewater treatment needs. The State has placed a <br /> <br /> high priority on addressing Coburg's ground water quality problems, as well as supporting <br /> economic development and job creation opportunities. To this end, the State has promoted the <br /> option of connecting Coburg to the MWMC system. <br /> In June, 2004, officials from the City of Coburg appeared before the JEOs and requested that <br /> consideration be given to extending the MWMC regional wastewater treatment services to <br /> Coburg. The request was made appropriately before the three agencies' governing bodies <br /> (Governing Bodies), because the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) establishing MWMC does <br /> not permit MWMC to grant such a request. Under the IGA, the MWMC is expressly limited to <br /> .providing services to the Governing Bodies, and to areas within the Eugene-Springfield UGB. <br /> At its June 22, 2004 meeting, the JEOs requested staff to prepare a scoping report outlining the <br /> issues and estimated costs and time frames associated with pursuing further study and <br /> deliberation of Coburg's request. <br /> Over the past year, SEL has guided Eugene and Springfield regional wastewater program staff in . <br /> preparing this background report to the JEOs.. The Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County <br /> Planning Directors and respective legal counsel also have been consulted on portions of this <br /> report. This report identifies key issues relevant to the JEOs' anticipated deliberation on whether <br /> and how to move forward with further evaluation andlor a decision making process that could <br /> lead to extension of MWMC wastewater services to Coburg. The discussion below does not <br /> attempt to fully analyze or resolve these issues. Rather,. it is intended to summarize the issues, <br /> present scenarios for discussion purposes, and estimate the timing and costs for additional work <br /> that would be needed to address or resolve the issues. The timing and cost estimates are <br /> provided in Attachment A. It is difficult to predict whether this report identifies the full range of <br /> issues that may emerge through the various public review processes that would ensue, given the <br /> unprecedented nature of this request in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. <br /> DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES <br /> CONTEXT FOR JEOs CONSIDERATION OF COBURG'S REQUEST <br /> Coburg's Wastewater Facilities Plan and its request for services provide a partial context for the <br /> JEOs discussion. These are described in the "Background" section and Attachment B of this <br /> memo. This section addresses aspects of the broader context within which the JEOs may wish to <br /> consider Coburg's request for wastewater services. The key issues addressed in this section <br /> include:. <br /> • .Relationship of Coburg's situation and request to long-range regional planning activities <br /> and other small (satellite) communities' needs for wastewater treatment services in the <br /> future; <br /> • Comparative environmental, public health, and safety issues associated with all aspects of <br /> Coburg's wastewater treatment options; <br /> • Impacts of connecting. Coburg to the MWMC system on Eugene-Springfield area <br /> collection system and treatment facility capacity; and <br /> • Cost equity among the MWMC customers and new customers outside the UGB. <br /> City Council page 438 Page 2 <br /> <br />