|
as benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles, and open space for recreation and relaxation. They
<br />typically do not include the following: restrooms, off-street parking, programmed athletics, skateparks,
<br />dog off-leash areas, and other facilities that attract visitors from a distance greater than the park's
<br />service area.
<br />
<br />For more information or to give input, contact Park Planner Robin Hostick at 682-4915,
<br />robin.a.hostick@ci.eugene.or.us, or visit the park’s webpage at www.eugene-or.gov/parkprojects.
<br />
<br />Flood Program Inspection Confirms Discount for Local Flood Insurance
<br />A recent inspection of Eugene’s flood protection services resulted in a recommendation by the Insurance
<br />Services Office to recertify Eugene as a Class 7 community, which translates to a 15% discount in flood
<br />insurance premiums for the residents of Eugene living in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Other Eugene
<br />residents not in the mapped floodplain receive a 5% insurance premium discount.
<br />
<br />The inspection was performed by the Insurance Services Office on behalf of the National Flood
<br />Insurance Program (NFIP) as part of the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS). The City of Eugene
<br />voluntarily participates in the CRS and receives credit for activities that go beyond the minimum required
<br />by the NFIP. In its most recent inspection, Eugene earned 1,682 CRS points in areas such as elevation
<br />certificates, map information, outreach projects, hazard disclosure, flood protection information and
<br />assistance, open space preservation, higher regulatory standards, flood data maintenance, stormwater
<br />management, floodplain management planning and drainage system maintenance.
<br />
<br />The City of Eugene has been participating in the NFIP since September 1986. Flood damage is not
<br />covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. Federal funds are only available if a presidential disaster
<br />declaration is made. Even then, the money available from the federal government for homeowners to
<br />rebuild is in the form of low-interest loans that must be repaid. Flood insurance protects homes and
<br />businesses. Flood insurance is available for residential properties up to $250,000 for the building and
<br />$100,000 for contents; and for nonresidential properties, $500,000 for building and $500,000 for
<br />contents. Contents coverage should be specifically requested if desired. Because Eugene is an NFIP
<br />participant and is rated as a Class 7 CRS community, property owners receive up to a 15% discount on
<br />their flood insurance premiums. The variable for this discount is the flood zone in which the property is
<br />located and is calculated automatically by the insurance companies. For more information about the
<br />NFIP and Eugene’s CRS rating, contact Quentin A. Blattler, CRS program coordinator, at 682-8130.
<br />
<br />West Eugene Wetlands Featured in Worldwide Ecosystem Services Publication
<br />Ecosystem services is an umbrella term for a wide variety of direct and indirect benefits that humans
<br />derive from natural ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain. For example, the absorption of heavy
<br />rainfall and consequent reduction in flash flooding is an ecosystem service provided by a forested
<br />watershed. Earlier this month, The Nature Conservancy released a document called "Ecosystem
<br />Services: Status and Summary.” The West Eugene Wetlands Program is one of 31 projects in the world,
<br />and one of 10 in North America, featured in the publication.
<br />
<br />The ecosystem services of the West Eugene Wetlands include water regulation and purification, fresh
<br />water, and genetic resources. Protection and management of the West Eugene Wetlands has been
<br />achieved through the combined efforts of the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership, which includes the
<br />City of Eugene, The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and five other
<br />organizations. Other projects featured in the report include sustainable forest management practices in
<br />Belize and biodiversity conservation efforts along China’s Upper Yangtze River. For more information
<br />contact Eric Wold, wetlands program supervisor at 682-4888 or eric.n.wold@ci.eugene.or.us.
<br />
<br />Speed Humps Installed on Sorrel Way and Palomino Drive
<br />One year ago, City staff began working with the community around Sorrel Way and Palomino Drive to
<br />design a traffic calming project that would address speeding and cut-through traffic in their neighborhood.
<br />The project was completed this week with the installation of seven speed humps on Sorrel Way and
<br />Palomino Drive. Other elements of the project include speed limit legends on the pavement and a sign
<br />indicating a pedestrian connection to Country Lane Park. For more information about this project or the
<br />City’s traffic calming program, contact Rob Inerfeld at 682-5343 or rob.inerfeld@ci.eugene.or.us.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
<br />June 22, 2006
<br />
|