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<br /> r~ <br /> Speaking points for the Corps of Engineers Award Ceremony on Sept. 18, 2001 <br /> 1. Steve Gordon will be master of ceremony & make opening remarks. <br /> 2. Julia or Polly (BLM) - on behalf of the BLM, we would like to thank the Corps for bringing <br /> this project to the Eugene District. BLM's West Eugene Wetland staff worked side by side with <br /> the Corps to successfully implement this ecosystem restoration project. The project provided an <br /> opportunity for the Forest Road Maintenance Crews to further their skills associated with <br /> wetland restoration and enhancement. These crews, along with private hauling contractors, <br /> moved over 84,000 cubic yards of soil earlier this summer as a means of restoring disturbed <br /> wetlands to a more natural condition. We enjoy our partnership with the Corps and look forward <br /> to many more opportunities to work together. <br /> 3. Cathy or Russ (TNC)- We appreciate what-the Corps has brought to the partnership. TNC has <br /> been actively working to develop a body of knowledge associated with Willamette Valley <br /> prairies and their historical significance in shaping the valley we know and love today. We are <br /> very pleased that the Corps and City have shared in this desire to restore these wet prairies and <br /> we look forward to working together on future projects. TNC now owns over 400 acres in the <br /> Willow Creek basin which includes some of the best remaining natural wet prairies which serve <br /> as a model for restoration efforts here in west Eugene and beyond. We hope there are more of <br /> these projects to come and we will be there to assist and implement with our West Eugene <br /> Wetland partners. <br /> 4. Mayor Torrey (City) - We value the Corps as a federal partner and look forward to more <br /> restoration project opportunities. Thank you for your flexibility in adding the recreation <br /> component and perseverance in making the project happen through all the years of planning. And " <br /> on behalf of the partnership, we would like to present this award to Colonel Randall Butler and <br /> the Portland District US Army Corps of Engineers. " <br /> 5. Colonel Randall Butler (Corps) -Thank you Mayor Torrey.- On behalf of the Portland District <br /> I would like to say thank you to the West Eugene Wetlands partnership and especially the City of <br /> Eugene for serving as the local sponsor for the Lower Amazon Section 1135 Restoration Project. <br /> Our staff have been working on this since 1993 and we are pleased to see the final wave of <br /> restoration implemented this summer. We also appreciate the opportunity to work with the City <br /> to add recreational features to the project to allow the public to fully appreciate the open space <br /> and environmental benefits of this project. We look forward to future endeavors with the City <br /> and hope that this will be a long term relationship. <br /> <br />