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<br /> 09/ 9/04 WED 15: 2 FAX 541 682 4882_ _ !EUGENE PW MNTNC & POS ~y~ PW ADMIN <br /> 001 <br /> ii <br /> i~ <br /> September 2 , 20f1 <br /> CONTACT: Trevd~r Taylor, Public Works Parks and Open Space Division, 682-488!7 <br /> From Public Inform tion Section, 682-5523 or 954-2938 <br /> FOR IMME LATE iELEASE <br /> Control) Burn Will Help Restore Native Prairie In Whllamut Natural Area on Monday <br /> Blac berried and other non-native vegetation on an eight-acre portion of Alton Baker <br /> Park will be removed through a controlled bum on Monday, October 4. <br /> Unl ss the ~yveather is too wet or too hot and windy, the burn is scheduled to begin at <br /> . approximat ly 1 p.~n. in the Whllamut Natural Area, located in the eastern section of the park <br /> west of I-5 n the forth bank of the Willamette River. During the controlled burn, North Walnut <br /> from Day I land Read to I-5 will be closed, but all other bicycle and pedestrian paths in that <br /> portion oft a park~are scheduled to be open. For public safety reasons, access to the burn <br /> area wilt b restricted. However, the prescribed fire, unlike a wild fire, is quite safe and will be <br /> r. <br /> complete contro~ed and contained by the Eugene Fire Department. <br /> Th Fire Djjepartment is partnering with the Parks and Open Space Division of Eugene <br /> Public Wo s to perform the controlled bum, which will serve two purposes. The Fire <br /> Departure twill use it as a training opportunity to practice wildiand firefighting methods and test <br /> a new so based {foam product that is fish friendly. The Public Works Department will use the <br /> fire as a r storati~n tool and follow the bum by reseeding the area with native plants. <br /> Hi toricall~r, prairies in the Willamette Valley were burned frequently by Native <br /> American . By reintroducing this ecological process, Park and Open Space staff hope to <br /> reduce w dy exJptic species, remove built-up thatch, and provide an opportunity to restore the <br /> area with native ~rairie species. <br /> j <br /> NOTE T ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: PLEASE CONTACT GLEN POTTER AT 682-7118 OR <br /> ERIC J ES A'~' 682-5523 IF YOU PLAN TO SEND A REPORTER OR PHOTOGRAPHER <br /> TO THE ONTF~OLLED BURN. VEHICLE ACCESS TO THAT PORTION OF THE PARK IS <br /> LIMITE ,AND GENERAL ACCESS TO 7HE BURN AREA WILL BE RESTRICTED. <br /> Public Dike • Admirlls~ratlpn • Cliy of Eugene • 85ti heart Street Eugene, OR 97441 <br /> phone, (541)682,5262•::FAX: (541)682-682B•~ www ci:eugen8 or uS <br /> <br />