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Update on the Delta Ponds Restoration Project -September 6, 2003 The Army Corps is finishing up the final draft of the feasibility report for the Delta Ponds Restoration project and the report will go out for review at the Corps' regional level next week. The project will involve installing large culverts at the upstream end of the pond system and under Delta Highway to allow Willamette River water to flow more freely into the ponds. The culverts at the Willamette River will be gated to maintain flood control in the pond system. Anew 30 foot wide vegetated bench and shallower banks will replace the existing steep banks along Delta Highway and Goodpasture Island Road. Lane County has agreed to participate in the project and will allow the filling and planting work along Delta Highway. In addition to the culverts, and the fill and riparian planting along Delta Highway and Goodpasture Island Road, the project will also include fill removal to reopen an historic side channel on the west bank of the river just downstream from the Delta Ponds. Staff are also investigating the possibility of building bike passages under Goodpasture Island Road and Delta Highway to connect the neighborhoods to the east of Delta Highway to the bike path system. The City and Corps staff have also worked out the recreation components of the project,. which will include gravel paths, a footbridge, parking areas, interpretive signs, benches and viewing areas. The feasibility report should be approved at the regional level by the middle of October at which time staff will start to work out the details of the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the Corps and the City. The project schedule calls for the PCA to be signed by January 1, 2003 and final design work to begin immediately after the signing. The major earthwork and initial planting work are scheduled for the 2003 summer construction season, removal of invasive plants, replanting, and monitoring will likely continue through 2008. The current cost estimate for the project is $6,215,000 with about $782,000 of the total going toward the recreation improvements. The Army Corps will match the City's funds at a rate of 65:35 for the restoration work and 50:50 for the recreation work. The Corps' participation in the recreation portion of the project is capped at 10% of their share of the restoration work. In June staff submitted a grant request to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to help fund the project. OWEB has declined our request for funds during this round but the agency is supportive of the project. They have encouraged the City to reapply for grant funds after the design details of the project have been worked out. For additional information on the project, contact Kevin Finney, Project Manager at 682-6018.