04/11/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. store owner, Fish and Wildlife people, and vector control people. Mr. Diethelm indicated that in 1978 his students investigated the Amazon Corridor and Bob Marosi was hired. Mr. Diethelm pointed out a traditional relationship exists between park and open space development and economic develoment. He said some people in the University area are worried that property values will go up and they will suffer from the success of the Emerald Canal. Concerning the amount of water needed, Mr. Diethelm reported that dams are authorized to release water for water needs first and wildlife enhancement programs second. He said 2,000 cubic feet per second is enough and a water permit is pending. Mr. Diethelm hoped 2,000 cubic feet per second of potential water wealth would not be squandered. He indicated EWEB had proposed high- voltage lines in the area of the proposed canal but have decided to take another high-voltage path. Mr. Diethelm indicated an inland waterway section has been added to the Metro- politan Area General Plan. He remarked that the difference between inland waterways and the river is that inland waterways have the potential to support housing and commercial development. Mr. Diethelm listed the seven areas the canal touches which include: the river; the millrace; the area between the millrace and downtown, including 10th and 11th avenues; the canal zone between 10th and 11th between Oak and Pearl and south to Amazon; the West 11th Corridor; the Fern Ridge area; and farmlands for which water for irrigation would not have to go through Fern Ridge Lake. e Regarding increased tourism resulting from the Emerald Canal construction, Mr. Diethelm highlighted the packet distributed on the effect of tourism after the San Antonio Waterway was completed. Mr. Diethelm emphasized that returning the millrace to power generation could produce revenue to pay for some costs of the system. Mr. Diethelm concluded that the Emerald Canal is not only a flood control or a housing or a recreation project, but a complex project with each part reinforc- ing the other, which links City and County interests. Complexity enhances the project and makes it attractive for funding. Mr. Diethelm remarked that the Emerald Canal project can attract outside funds to this area. Also, the Army Corps of Engineers can contribute $2.5 million, which is their estimate of flood control costs. Mr. Diethelm said the Portland based Yard Foundation paid for task force expenses. He has asked them to consider helping the City and County to continue with the project. Mr. Diethelm added that local foundations are waiting on commitments from the City Council. Mr. Dietholm said as the economic conditions improve, people will support the project and he encouraged action. He said the Flint, Michigan, Waterway took 18 years to complete from the time of acceptance by City Council. - III. LANE COUNTY'S POSITION (letter of April 11, 1983, to Mayor Gus Keller from Jerry Rust distributed) Mr. Lindberg read the letter from Jerry Rust which stated that Lane County prefers the Emerald Canal project be kept alive and the County will continue to participate except financially. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 11, 1983 Page 2