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<br />The wetlands on this site have been significantly altered by grazing and historic draining <br />activities to the extent that very little native vegetation grows there. We conclude that the <br />"natural vegetation" and "natural waterways" addressed in Policy 2 do not exist on this <br />site, and therefore this policy is not applicable. <br /> <br />Section 9.14S(2)(b) "The plan amendment is consistent with remaining portions of <br />the refinement plan;" <br /> <br />2. WEWP Goals <br /> <br />The West Eugene Wetlands Plan contains the following applicable Goals (related <br />findings follow each Goal). These broad goals apply to the plan as a whole. The Plan <br />defines goals as "broad statements of philosophy and are adopted by the City Council and <br />Lane County Board of Commissioners. They may never be completely attainable, but <br />they describe the hopes of the people and help establish direction (WEWP preface, page <br />x)." <br /> <br />Goal 3.1 <br /> <br />"Protect and enhance water quality, wildlife habitat, flood storage, <br />sediment and toxicant removal and other wetland functions and <br />val ues. " <br /> <br />Due to the extremely small area of wetland (0.18 acre) on this site and the 20 year history <br />of grazing and agricultural drainage, the functions and values mentioned in Goal 3.1 are <br />very low on this site. The Planning Commission recommendation would protect <br />approximately 50% of the wetlands. Given the small area, and low values, this level of <br />protection is consistent with Goal 3.1. <br /> <br />Goal 3.2 <br /> <br />"Minimize economic hardship on private property owners due to <br />protection of wetlands and other valuable environmental <br />resources. " <br /> <br />This site is publicly owned, so this goal does not apply. <br /> <br />Goal 3.3 <br /> <br />"Minimize adverse impacts to protected wetlands from adjacent <br />development. " <br /> <br />The Planning Commission recommendation for a Restoration designation would allow a <br />small development to occur on part of the lot, while preserving and restoring wetlands on <br />the remainder. This could introduce some impacts depending upon the use of the site and <br />how the development is designed. The Eugene Code requires wetland buffer setbacks on <br />upland that is next to protected wetland, so some protective buffering would be required. <br />These provisions would help ensure that impacts are minimized, which makes the <br />Planning Commission recommendation consistent with Goal 3.3. <br /> <br />Multiple Site Ordinance, Exhibit C (Refinement Plan Amendment Findings) <br /> <br />Page 26 <br />