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Steve Gordon's Opening Remarks: <br /> Thank you all for coming - (Introductions orjust key figures?) <br /> It has been my pleasure to be associated with this project since 1990, when it was first conceived. <br /> This project is significant for a number of reasons: <br /> It fits the vision and direction of the WEWP <br /> It is large and of national significance <br /> It is now an important spot in Eugene's open space system (The willow Creek Natural Area has been <br /> tabled the "soul" of the wetlands system and this 400 acres has been referred to asthe "heart" of our <br /> wetland system <br /> It is multi-functional with open space, floodplain enhancement, widlife habitat, water quality benefits, and <br /> recreational and interpretation opportunities. In this regard it fits the new direction of the Corps and serves <br /> as a national model. This project represents $6.5 million of public funds, which were wisely spent (75% of <br /> our federal dollars at work and 25% of our local stormwater dollars at work) <br /> It reflects-the wetland program interest in forming and maintaining healthy, long-term partnerships <br /> It has allowed us to develop relationships and trust that will spill over to other projects in the region. <br /> If we scan the horizon, we can see the critical location of this site in the Amazon drainage in the Long Tom <br /> Watershed <br /> Cascades to the east <br /> South Hills and Amazon Creek headwaters <br /> Coast Range <br /> Willamette Valley floor <br /> Here the Kalapuyans gathered plant materials and animals <br /> Here early settlers and farmers worked the land. <br /> Today, after years of planning, lobbying, and hard work restoring the earth, we are poised to enjoy this <br /> site. <br /> Birdwatchers found the site after the 1999 construction and have waited anxiously for each phase's <br /> completion to further enhance habitat and draw more waterfowl and shorebirds. They delight in the <br /> Meadowlarks and birds of prey that use the area <br /> The bike path will make it enjoyable for hundreds more of our citizens <br /> It is really for our future generations that this site is most valuable. <br /> The restoration will mature and be more productiive -the site will look more like it did 150 years ago. <br /> Children will learn and explore here <br /> The wetland education center and program and bike path will provide opportunities for all our citizens <br /> and visitors to enjoy <br /> The site will hold more flood water when the next large rain event comes <br /> And this site on the fringe of Oregon's second largest metropolitan region will be linked to the rest of the <br /> <br /> wetlands, a Greenway connected to Fern Ridge Reservoir, and the ridgeline corridor system <br /> Now let me turn over the program to our next speaker, the honorable Jim Torrey, Mayor of the city of <br /> Eugene. <br /> <br />