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adopted by the City of Eugene and Lane County in 1992. Elements of the program include planning and <br />implementing wetland restoration and stream restoration projects, managing the West Eugene Wetlands <br />Mitigation Bank, conducting vegetation and hydrological monitoring of restoration sites, working with <br />partner agencies to plan and implement land acquisition, planning recreational facilities, and working <br />collaboratively with partner agencies to implement recreation and education programming about the <br />wetlands. <br /> <br />The West Eugene Wetlands Program has been a model of sustainability for more than 12 years. Its <br />achievements in the area of environmental sustainability include acquiring almost 3,000 acres of <br />wetlands and associated uplands for permanent natural resources protection, protecting and expanding <br />populations of plants and animals that are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, actively <br />enhancing or restoring 800 acres of wetlands and approximately 8,000 linear feet of streams, promoting <br />alternative modes of transportation through construction of the Fern Ridge Path along the Amazon Creek <br />Corridor, using primarily non-chemical modes of weed control and hazardous fuels reduction, and <br />maintaining the genetic integrity of the native plant populations in the West Eugene Wetlands through <br />the seed collection program. Community sustainability is demonstrated by constructing 2.5 miles of <br />multi-use trails that meet APWA standards, completing an additional 1.5 miles of walking trails, providing <br />year-round education programs with partner organizations, developing and installing interpretive signage <br />throughout wetlands, and encouraging community participation in restoration efforts. The program <br />provides economic sustainability by increasing developer certainty and confidence, operating the <br />wetlands mitigation bank as a self-sustaining revolving fund, and serving as a model for high-quality <br />wetland restoration. <br /> <br />Other winners of the 2004 Oregon APWA Julian Prize were the Tualatin Valley Water District in the <br />policies category, and the City of Gresham's "Great Business" program on the area of practices. For <br />more information about the West Eugene Wetlands Program and the Julian Prize for Sustainability, <br />contact Eric Wold, Wetlands Program Supervisor, at 682-4888. <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br />October 25, 2004 <br /> <br /> <br />