Eugene's Fall Leaf Program Begins November 3

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1:0 27/03 MON 11:17 FAX 541 682 4882 EUGENE PW MNTNC & POS PW ADMIN C~j001 ~ ~ l October 2 , 2003 CONTAC Tony Jobanek, Leaf Program Coordinator, 682-4835 Therese Picado, Public Information Specialist, 682-4814 TWO-PAG FAX FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Eugene's Fall Leaf Program Begins November 3 Eu ene's annual leaf program begins November 3. The Public Works program, which has been vailable to Eugene citizens since the late 1960s, offers residents a variety of options for dealing with fall leaf accumulations. Th program originally was implemented to prevent street flooding caused by clogged gutters an catch basins. Keeping leaves out of the stormwater drainage system also improves water quali y because decomposing leaves use up oxygen that is needed by aquatic life in local streams a rivers. Wh le the program continues to offer traditional leaf pickup service, it also encourages residents t consider reusing and recycling their leaves. The leaves collected by the City are reused by slivering them upon request to residents and to the City's community gardens and community groups such as Food for Lane County. Leaves that aren't delivered are recycled as compost m terial. None of the leaves collected by the City are taken to public landfills. Re idents can reuse leaves as mulch or compost material for home gardens or landscape areas. They can conveniently recycle leaves using their yard debris container or by taking the to a commercial recycler such as Rexius or Lane Forest Products. If, as a last resort, resi ents place leaves in the streets for pickup, they are asked to follow certain rules: D n't block sidewalks, bicycle lanes or traffic lanes with leaf piles. If residents are unable to p le leaves without blocking a sidewalk, bike lane or traffic lane, leaves should be bagged an placed at the curb (please call 682-4800 if you place your leaves in bags), or placed on side street, or taken to a recycling center. Pi a leaves at least 15 feet from parked cars so collection equipment has easy access. K p leaves at least a foot from the curb to avoid clogging gutters and storm drains. M ke sure leaf piles are free of branches, pine needles and other yard debris so they can be deli eyed to people who want leaves for their gardens. it to put leaves in the street until the weekend prio to collection. (More) Pu ilc Works • Administration • City Df Eugene •858 Pearl Street • Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541)682-5282 . FAX: (541)682-682s • www.d.eugene.or.us