<br /> 02/ 6/06 THU 14 16 FAX 541 682 488E EtiGENE PW 1HNTNC & POS PW ADMIN ~ 001 <br /> E U E N E <br /> Par s and <br /> opg space N E ~N S R E ~ E A S E <br /> .ci.eugene. r.usJparks <br /> F bruary 15, 200 <br /> i <br /> Fl'~R IMMEDIATE LEASE <br /> I <br /> Contact: P ilip Richardson, 541-682-4906 or philip.s.richardson at7ci.eugene.or.us <br /> f <br /> 6~?sh Administratio Includes Funding to Protect South Eugene Hills Habitat in FY 2007 Budget <br /> T e Bush Administ anon has included funding to purchase habitat in South Eugene Hills in their proposed Forest <br /> L gacy Program 2007 budget. The Forest Legacy Progrom is a partnership between the United States Forest <br /> S rvice (USFS~, sta a and local governments, and private landowners, which identifies and protects ecologically <br /> i portant forest h bitat threatened by possible development or unsustainable practices. Program objectives are <br /> et through land cquisition or the use of conservation easements, which protect working forests while meeting <br /> i portant Conserv Lion goals. <br /> T e City of Eugen submitted a request to the Forest legacy Program asking for $460,000 in federal funds to be <br /> I veraged with loc I funds in order to purchase a 24 acre parcel in the South Eugene Hills that has both high <br /> r creational and bitat value. If the budget is approved, the resulting funding will help conserve a mosaic of <br /> h bitats including remnants of imperiled upland prairie and oak savannah. The project will also protect scenic <br /> v ws, provide for safe trailhead access point and better connectivity between the Ridgeline and West Eugene <br /> etlands, and as ist in the Cify's efforts to mare effectively manage oak dominant parklands. <br /> S nce its inception in 1992, the Forest Legary Progrom has conserved over one million acres Across 33 states and <br /> t rritories. This pr gram has also provided excellent leverage of the forest conservation federal investment by <br /> otecting over $ 80 million of land value with a Federal investment of $245 million. <br /> I 2002 the City f Eugene was awarded over one million dollars from the same program, but that year the <br /> regon State Leg stature declined to approve Oregon`s participation in the program and Eugene was not able to <br /> r ceive the award d funds. Last year, the State Legislature approved Oregon's participation in the program but <br /> dded some signi icant restrictions on how the funds could be spent. Along with applauding the Bush <br /> dministration for including funding for the South Eugene Hills Project, the City of Eugene Parks & Open Space <br /> ivision also corn ends District 8 State Representative Paul Holvey far his efforts to pass legislation allowing <br /> regon to partici ate in the Forest Legacy Program. <br /> epresentative H Ivey had this to say about the announcement. "I'm pleased to hove worked with the Eugene City <br /> off to pass this I gislation and appreciate their hard work. This legislation finally allows Oregon to participate in <br /> t e federal Forest Legacy program which provides federal dallors to protect valuable forestlands for both <br /> nvironmental an economic purposes. Next session I will work to remove the restrictions that limit the use of this <br /> rogram. I'm re lly excited that Eugene will likely have the first property in Oregon to participate in the Forest <br /> egacy program. Congratulations Eugene, for implementing this program to benefit our community. " <br /> the final congres Tonal budget will be approved in the Foll of 2006. <br /> <br />