Second Round of Leaf Collection Rescheduled Following Winter Storm

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~ ~ t 7 ~ T~.~ ~ T 7 Tom. December 22, 2008 CONTACT: Damon Joyner, Public Works Maintenance Supervisor, 541-682-4835 From Public Information Section, 682-5523 or 954-2938 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE . Second Round of Leaf Collection Rescheduled Following Winter Storm The second and final round of leaf collection in Eugene is now scheduled to begin Wednesday, Dec. 31, in west Eugene. The second round of leaf collection includes, unimproved streets, which typically do not have curbs, gutters and sidewalks. During the first round of collection, Public Works crews concentrate on improved streets to ensure that major routes and bike lanes are kept clean. After a street has been picked up in the second round, no more leaves are allowed to be piled in the street. As always, property owners who choose to place leaves in the street are responsible for keeping bike lanes open and passable,, catch basins clear, and sticks, branches and other debris out of leaf piles. The collection schedule was pushed back more than a week as leaf program crews were .reassigned to emergency snow and ice duties following a major winter storm the week of Dec. 15. The storm continues to have lingering effects on street maintenance operations. Currently three of the City's four street sweepers are concentrating on picking up the remainder of the more than 1,000 cubic yards of sand spread on the streets'for traction during the storm. This means that for the next several weeks the sweepers will not be following close behind the leaf collection crews, which will likely mean some leaf debris remains on thestreets.until the sweepers can catch up. The finaleschedule for the second round of leaf collection is still being worked out. .Collection areas will be in the following order: west Eugene, central Eugene, north Eugene, southeast Eugene, and southwest Eugene Each year,, the Eugene Public Works Department collects more than 15,000 cubic yards of leaves in an effort to keep ,leaves from plugging the storm drainage system and degrading water quality in local streams. Here are some additional tips for managing leaves: • Pile leaves well away from catch basins. If a catch basin does plug, scrape the leaves away from the grate. Be careful working in standing water. • Consider using leaves as compost or mulch rather than piling them in the street. , • Remove leaves from sidewalks. Wet, slippery leaves are a hazard to pedestrians. • Avoid putting leaves in bike lanes. Leaf piles that obstruct bike lanes are a hazard to cyclists. For the latest schedule information, call Eugene's leaf program hotline at 682-5383, or visit the web at www.eugene-or.gov/leaf. To report flooding problems or obstructed- bike lanes, call Eugene Public Works Maintenance at 682-4800. Leaf delivery forms are available on the web or by calling 682-4800. ` Public Works: • Administration • City of Eugene • 858 Pearl Street • Eugene, OR 97401 Phone: (541) 682-526.2 • FAX: (541) 6$2=6826. • wwvu.c.eugertie.or..us