BLM Partnership will Help Restore Native Plants in Delta Ponds Area

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_ ¦ ~ ~ o ~r June 3, 200 CONTACT: Kevin Finney, Eugene Public Works Delta Ponds Project Manager, 541-682-6018 Doug Huntington, BLM Eugene District Director of Public Affairs, 541-683-6415 From Public Information Section, 682-5523 or 954-2938 FOR IMME IATE RELEASE BL Partnership Grant Will Help Restore Native Plants in Delta Ponds Area Inva ive plants such as scotch broom, blackberry and ivy will soon give way to native species suc as dogwood, Oregon grape and willow in the Delta Ponds area, thanks to a $389,000 g nt from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ity of Eugene is the recipient of the Challenge Cost-Share BLM grant funded under President B sh's Cooperative Conservation Initiative (CCI). The Department of the Interior in late Maya rded $21 million in CCI grants to fund 377 projects in 43 states. "I re Ily want to give credit to the BLM for stepping forward at this time," said Eugene Mayor Jim orrey, a strong supporter of projects designed to enhance the Delta Ponds. "This is another gre t example of apublic-private partnership coming through for this project." The City is working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a $6.2 million Delta Ponds envi onmental restoration project. The project has also received a state park grant for recreationa improvements, and numerous volunteer projects have improved access and habitat in the area ver the past several years. The City has also partnered with the state's Oregon Solutions c Ilaborative program and signed a declaration of cooperation with 28 partners, including to al property owners. Ina nouncing the awarding of $1.8 million in grants for 40 conservation projects in Ore on, Int rior Secretary Gale Norton emphasized the importance of partnerships. / 9 Publi Works • Administration • City of Eugene • 858 Pearl Street • Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541)682-5262 • FAX: (541) 682-6826 • www.ci.eugene.or.us