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COREY Kurt A <br /> From: DUCKETT Scott <br /> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 12:49 PM <br /> To: 'aaronJames@wyden.gov' <br /> Cc: HEUSER Jason P; Kirk Bailey (kirk@sda-inc.com); Steve Gordon (sgordon03@earthlink.net) <br /> Subject: Corps of Engineers Project Funding <br /> Aaron, <br /> As you requested, I have summarized our situation with the Eugene Delta Ponds project and the Corps of Engineers below for Senator <br /> Wyden's Office: <br /> The Corps of Engineers Portland District has informed the City of Eugene that as of last week they have ceased work on the Delta <br /> Ponds Section 206 Restoration Project. This is creating a crisis for the partnership that was expecting to have the project under <br /> construction this summer. The City of Eugene has a signed Project Cooperative Agreement (PCA) with the Corps and we have already <br /> begun to expend funds. The Corps has also already expended funds for the project. <br /> This is part of a nationwide decision of the Corps to not proceed with WRDA Section 206 and Section 1135 projects that are not in a <br /> construction phase. This decision is based on a $25 million cap on these programs imposed by the WRDA authorization of 1996. <br /> We have two requests for assistance with this issue: <br /> 1.) The Headquarters of the Corps should authorize $330,000 for the Portland District to continue with vegetation enhancement work <br /> on the project immediately with FY04 funding. We are facing a situation where we may have to lay-off staff who were hired to work <br /> on the project if this funding doesn't come through. Additionally, the Governor's Office and Eugene Mayor Torrey are extremely <br /> invested in this project through Rotary groups and there is a tremendous amount of public attention focused on the Delta Ponds project. <br /> It is the highest priority project for the Portland District according to their staff. <br /> 2.) The nationwide cap for the 206 and 1135 programs could be increased to reflect the amount of interest in this program by local <br /> communities. These are programs that involve the local community in the decision process, bring in grassroots assistance, and <br /> leverage local dollars to match Federal funds to achieve desirable projects. According to the Corps, there is approximately $40-45 <br /> million of these projects that could move forward if allowed by funding cap limits. <br /> Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, <br /> D. Scott Duckett <br /> Natural Resources Section Manager <br /> Parks & Open Space Division <br /> City of Eugene Public Works Department <br /> 1820 Roosevelt Blvd. <br /> Eugene, OR 97402 <br /> (541) 682-4842 <br /> scoff. duckett@ci. eugene. onus <br /> <br /> www. ci. eugene. onus/parks/natural <br /> 1 <br /> _ _ _ <br /> <br />