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12/0 /04 FRI 15:5 FAX 541 682 4882 EUGENE PW MNTNC & POS PW ADMIN f~003 <br /> U ,'E ~ t± <br /> a~~pie~ ~p~ ~ ~~~u~ ~ ~ AS E <br /> r~k~ugene or ~~r~a~s:-~ <br /> De tuber 2, 2004 <br /> C NTACT: <br /> ¦ Eric Wold, etlarlds Program Supervisor, 682-4888 <br /> ¦ Therese M Picado, Public Information Specialist, Parks and Open Space, 682-4814/682-4800. <br /> F R IMMEDIATE ELEASE <br /> West Eugene Wetlands Program Wtns Award for Sustainabliity <br /> The West ugene Wetlands Program has been recognized as a model for sustainability by the <br /> Or on Chapter o the American Public Works Association (APWA). The award of the Julian Prize for the <br /> S tamability Proj ct of the Year was made at the APWA chapter's fall conference in Welshes, Oregon. <br /> The Julian Prize for sustainability was created by Oregon APWA to recognize outstanding examples <br /> of ustainability in the areas of policies, practices, and projects. The West Eugene Wetlands earned the <br /> p e in the proje category. The program, which is housed in the Public Works Department, is based upon. <br /> th West Eugene etlanids Plan, amultiple-objective, wetlands management and land use plan adopted by <br /> th City of Eugen and Lane County in 1992. Elements of the program include planning and implementing <br /> w tland restoratio and stream restoration projects, managing the West Eugene Wetlands Mitigation Bank, <br /> nducting veget tion and hydrological monitoring of restoration sites, working with partner agenaes to plan <br /> a d implement is d aoq~isition, planning recreational facilities, and working collaborativey with partner <br /> a encies to imple ent rdcreational and educational programming about the wetlands. <br /> Over the st 12 years, the West Eugene Wetlands Program has acquired almost 3,000 acres of <br /> w ttands and ass slated; uplands, actively enhanced or restored 800 acres of wetlands and approximately <br /> 8, 00 linear feet f streams, promoted alternative modes of transportation through construction of the Fem <br /> R dge Path along Amazon Creek, used primarily non-chemical modes of weed control and hazardous fuels <br /> r uction, mainta ned the genetic integrity of the native plant populations through the seed collection <br /> p ogram, develo yeae-round education programs, and developed and installed interpretive signage <br /> t oughout wetla ds. The program provides economic sustainability by increasing developer certainty and <br /> niidence, oper ting the wetlands mitigation bank as aself-sustaining revolving fund, and serving as a <br /> odel for high q lity wetland restoration. <br /> Other win ers of the 2004 Oregon APWA Julian Prize were the Tualatin Valley Water District in the <br /> <br /> ~i licies category and the City of Gresham's °Great Business" program in the area of practices. For more <br /> i formation, call 82-48813. <br /> <br />