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ASSISTANCE AGREEMEN
<br /> Between .
<br /> The City of Eugene, Oregon
<br /> And
<br /> The Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District
<br /> Agreement Number # HAA031M00
<br /> The West Eugene Wetlands (WEW) Project is a cooperative venture by the Eugene District, Bureau of Land
<br /> Management (BLM), to protect and restore historic wetland ecosystems in the southern Willamette Valley of
<br /> Oregon. This unique project involves federal, state, and local agencies and private organizations in partnership
<br /> to manage lands and resources in an urban area for multiple public benefits and providing opportunities for
<br /> education recreation and inte
<br /> retation. Ma'or artners in
<br /> the WEW Pro'ec i
<br /> ip ~ p ~ t nclude the BLM, Cit of Eu ene
<br /> Y g
<br /> (City), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
<br /> (USAGE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, McKenzie River Trust, and the Willamette Resources and Education
<br /> Network (WREN). The BLM became an active partner in 1993 when they adopted the WEW Plan. The BLM
<br /> has been involved with it
<br /> s artners in land ac uisition r s r '
<br /> p q e to atibn, enhancement, and maintenance of over 2,500
<br /> acres in the west Eugene area. It is also involved in a major effort to provide educational, recreational and
<br /> interpretive opportunities in the WEW through the construction of facilities and implementation of educational
<br /> programs.
<br /> The BLM currently has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Eugene, USAGE, TNC,
<br /> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Oregon
<br /> Division of State Lands that established a comprehensive mitigation banking program to implement the West
<br /> Eugene Wetlands Plan. The City operates the WEW Mitigation Banking Program.
<br /> The Bureau of Land Management is a land management agency within the Department of Interior committed to
<br /> the wise use of resources, ecosystem management, and improvement of wetland function and health.
<br /> I. P ose. This Assistance Agreement is entered into by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of
<br /> Land Management, Oregon State Office (hereinafter referred to as BLM), and City of Eugene,
<br /> Oregon, through the Public Works, Parks and Open Space Division (hereinafter referred to as the
<br /> City), for the following purposes:
<br /> A. To provide a framework to coordinate wetland, riparian, and upland restoration projects and
<br /> management practices within West Eugene Wetlands,, on public and private lands, that will
<br /> improve wetland function and health.
<br /> B. To coordinate comprehensive planning, assessment and programs for the strategic management
<br /> of the West Eugene Wetlands.
<br /> C. To restore native species habitat and thereby wildlife species populations in West Eugene
<br /> Wetlands, including improved habitat for federally two listed species, Fender's blue butterfly
<br /> (Icaricia icariodes spp. fenderii) and its host plant, Kincaid's lupine (Lupinus sulphureus var,
<br /> kincaidii).
<br /> D. To provide joint opportunities for community-based education, recreation and interpretation on
<br /> the values and functions of West Eugene Wetlands.
<br /> E. To share resources, between BLM and the City, including equipment, office space, and
<br /> personnel expertise, where mutual benefit to public land management and overall wetland health
<br /> would be realized.
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