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responses to comments from the public and public agencies on the DEIS and a thorough <br /> evaluation of impacts and identification of required mitigation. With the completion of the Final <br /> EIS, the selected alternative will move into design and construction. Service could be expected to <br /> begin in 2014. <br /> <br /> Amazon Alignment <br /> The Amazon Alignment is unique in that, unlike the other alignments, it has no right of way to work <br /> <br /> with. The general concept of the alignment is to have EmX run adjacent to the channel between <br /> Garfield Street and where the channel crosses under West 11~'~Avenue. Station locations would <br /> most likely be at the point where streets currently cross the channel. Because the City and the <br /> U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are currently engaged in the preparation of an Environmental <br /> Assessment (a federally required process similar to the one being used for the WEEE), there are <br /> also coordination opportunities with the Amazon alignment. The Amazon Enhancement project is <br /> part of the Metro Waterways Study currently underway. This stretch along the Amazon Channel <br /> is known as "Reach 5" and has been identified by City staff as a high priority area for restoration. <br /> A map of the Reach 5 enhancement strategies is provided as Attachment 6 to this memorandum. <br /> One coordination opportunity is shared funding. For example, one of the primary strategies being <br /> looked at in the Amazon Enhancement project is to widen the channel through that reach of the <br /> Amazon. This would require a lengthening of the spans of the various streets that cross the <br /> channel. Because the EmX stations for this alignment would be at the cross streets, there may be <br /> opportunities for jointly funding the bridge-widening elements of the Amazon Enhancement <br /> project. <br /> LTD staff are currently working with Eugene Parks and Open Space staff to determine the extent <br /> of these opportunities. The intent is to explore options that would minimize impact to the <br /> environment and enhance or support the goals presented in the City's Metro Waterways Study. <br /> There seem to be opportunities, but details that would allow the drawing of design options (such <br /> as the exact placement of ari EmX alignment in the context of a widening of the channel) remain <br /> to be resolved. LTD is approaching the design of this alignment with the following design <br /> objectives: <br /> • Preserve the multi-use path <br /> • Where possible, separate the multi-use path from EmX (opposite sides of the creek) <br /> • Incorporate Metro Waterways goals and objectives for the Amazon Channel <br /> • Contribute to the enhancement of the channel <br /> Wra -U <br /> To recap, the federally required environmental process being conducted for the WEEE project is <br /> intended to provide the Eugene City Council, LTD Board of Directors, and the MPC with a <br /> deliberate and robust decision-making process. The cornerstones of that process are extensive <br /> public engagement and a thorough analysis of a range of alternatives. The deliberative nature of <br /> the process means that it will be at least 9-10 months before the analysis of alternatives is <br /> complete and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is available for public review. <br /> Following public review of the DEIS, the Eugene City Council, the LTD Board of Directors, and the <br /> MPC will begin the process of selecting a Locally Preferred Alternative. In the interim, the Council <br /> will receive regular updates on the status of the project. <br /> 4 <br /> City Council Agenda page 10 <br /> <br />