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invasive nonnative plant species (e.g. Scotch broom, Armenian blackberry, Canada thistle, bull thistle, <br /> tansy ragwort, etc.) from disbursed populations occurring across approximately 100 acres at Taylor <br /> North, Taylor South, and the Long Tom ACEC. This work will be accomplished manually using weed <br /> wrenches and other hand tools. The species and acreages for control will be prioritized cooperatively <br /> by the BLM and the City based on specific site conditions, population size, and proximity to sensitive <br /> resources. NYC crew leaders will be on -site at all times to monitor the work environment and assess <br /> actual work outcomes against the prescribed protocols and specifications identified by BLM and POS <br /> staff. <br /> 4. Collection of native seed from plant species in the WEW and purchase of native seed and <br /> bulbs produced by Willamette Valley growers working cooperatively with the WEW native <br /> plant materials program. Collection and cleaning of native seed from the West Eugene Wetlands <br /> will be coordinated by the City of Eugene and conducted by a 2- person seasonal seed crew for a <br /> period of 11 weeks. The seed crew will identify and collect native seeds, record data on collections, <br /> clean seed, create and bag seed mixes and track inventory for restoration and enhancement projects in <br /> the West Eugene Wetlands. <br /> 5. Creation and distribution of locally native, site - specific seed mixes for North and South <br /> Taylor, and the Long Tom ACEC where weed control has taken place and to other lands in the <br /> West Eugene Wetlands where seeding will restore or enhance wetland habitat. The City will <br /> hire the seed crew; coordinate with growers; manage grow -out contracts; coordinate purchase of seed; <br /> design seed mixes; coordinate with land owners who allow seed collection on their land; oversee seed <br /> cleaning, record - keeping, storage, and mixing; manage the plant materials inventory and database; and <br /> oversee delivery of seed mixes to the BLM and our other plant materials program partner, The Nature <br /> Conservancy. The plant materials program will create 50 or more unique mixes of native seed for <br /> restoration and enhancement in the West Eugene Wetlands. <br /> 10. How will this project improve relationships among interest groups that use BLM- managed <br /> lands? <br /> Lands managed by the BLM and other public entities in the West Eugene Wetlands serve as important <br /> recreational and educational sites for citizens of the southern Willamette Valley. These lands are well <br /> known and highly valued for their plant and wildlife habitat by public user groups such as the <br /> Audubon Society, North American Butterfly Association, and the Oregon Native Plant Society. The <br /> West Eugene Wetlands serve as outdoor classrooms for school programs sponsored by the Willamette <br /> Resource Education Network and are frequently used for educational purposes by students and <br /> instructors at Lane Community College, University of Oregon and Oregon State University. Other <br /> recreation interest groups such as the Obsidians and local bicycle groups value the outdoor <br /> recreational opportunities provided by the West Eugene Wetlands and associated bike and walking <br /> paths. <br /> In addition to providing interest groups with enhanced opportunities, this project will serve as a model <br /> for nearby private landowners. Notably, the Long Tom Watershed Council and McKenzie River Trust, <br /> two Rivers to Ridges Partners, have been working closely with several adjacent private properties to <br /> restore and protect wetland prairie habitat (see attached map). Since, most of the remaining intact <br /> wetland prairie habitat in the Willamette Valley is located on private land, undertaking stewardship <br /> 3 of 16 <br />