New Search
Mayor's Office <br /> James D. Torrey <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 - <br /> NOVember 5, 2002 Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 <br /> (541) 682-5010 <br /> (541)682-5414 Fax <br /> (541) 682-5045 TTY <br /> Anne Badgley <br /> Regional Director <br /> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br /> Pacific Regional Office <br /> 911 NE 11th Avenue <br /> Portland, Oregon 97232 ' <br /> Dear Ms. Badgley: <br /> The City of Eugene enthusiastically supports the proposed Coyote Creek National Wildlife Refuge, <br /> which would be located in the rural area outside the City's urban growth boundary. The proposed <br /> refuge encompasses an area that has been identified by numerous scientific studies as a high priority <br /> area within the state of Oregon for future conservation, and the City hopes that the national wildlife <br /> refuge system can help in the conservation of this unique resource. <br /> As a member of the West Eugene Wetland Partnership, the City of Eugene has been at the forefront <br /> of community-based wetlands protection efforts for over a decade. Through collaboration and <br /> cooperation with the citizens of Eugene, non-profit organizations, and local, state, and federal <br /> agencies, the City developed and has implemented a comprehensive wetlands management plan that <br /> balances development, recreation, and natural resource values. Over the past ten years, the <br /> nationally recognized West Eugene Wetland Partnership has acquired and managed approximately <br /> 2,400 acres of wetlands and associated uplands. <br /> We believe that the Coyote Creek National Wildlife Refuge proposal is a natural outgrowth of the <br /> West Eugene Wetland Partnership's efforts over the past ten years. The proposed refuge would <br /> enhance our ability to effectively manage federally listed plant and animal species and-other <br /> important wildlife habitats, and it would provide an important open space area close to Oregon's <br /> second largest metropolitan area. <br /> We are pleased to be a partner in this effort, we fully support the proposed refuge, and we are <br /> committed to making this proposal a success. We are thrilled about the West Eugene Wetland <br /> Partnership's achievements over the past decade, and we are excited about the prospect of the <br /> <br /> USFWS complementing our work by conserving and restoring the habitats described in the Coyote <br /> Creek National Wildlife Refuge proposal. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br /> James D. To ey <br /> <br /> Mayor <br /> <br />