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e II. PRESENTATION ON EMERALD CANAL BY COMMISSIONER JERRY RUST Lane County Commissioner Jerry Rust said the Emerald Waterways Committee has been meeting since 1982 to bring the Emerald Canal to fruition. He said there are five City planning issues that are relevant to this project: the Metro Plan updatet the Riverfront Research Projectt the Ferry Street Bridge, the Army Corps of Engineers' Willamette Basin Study, and the expansion of the Lane County Fairgrounds. Mr. Rust thanked Eugene for funding the work that is being done to update the Metro Plan. He said with the special studies that the City is funding, most of the technical work that is needed to construct the Emerald Canal is being done. Mr. Rust said that as part of the Riverfront Research Park, the Millrace will be cleaned up. He said this will enhance the Emerald Canal project. As part of the Ferry Street Bridge project, a larger culvert will be installed to accommodate the outflow of the Millrace; this will also help clean up the Millrace. Mr. Rust noted that the Amazon Channel runs directly past the Fairgrounds. He thought that increasing the flow in the Amazon Channel as part of the development and expansion of the Fairgrounds could help make the area more interesting. Finally, Mr. Rust reported that Congressman Peter DeFazio secured a $300tOOO grant for a waterbasin study that will enable the Army Corps of Engineers to determine water levels for Fern Ridge Reservoir that would promote recreation year round. Mr. Rust said the Army Corps of Engineers believes that the Emerald Canal would be one way of furnishing additional water to Fern Ridge Reservoir. e - Mr. Rust summarized by saying that these five planning issues will all promote the Emerald Canal project. He asked councilors to factor this into their thinking as the City works on these projects. Mr. Bennett stated that the Emerald Canal could be a tremendous asset to the community in a number of ways. He said he looks forward to working on the project. Mr. Bennett asked if the increased flow in the Millrace and the Amazon Channel could be credited as wetlands mitigation. Mr. Rust stated that the increased flow will create side ponding and will have a cleaning effect. He said the Emerald Waterways Committee is exploring whether the increased flow could help with wetlands mitigation. Ms. Schue agreed that the project was exciting although complicated. Mr. Boles also expressed excitement about the project because it accomplishes objectives associated with environmental, recreational, and economic development goals. He said these are the types of projects that governments should look for in the future. Mr. Rust said he appreciates the fact that councilors are open-minded about this project. III. REPORT ON WORLD VETERANS' CHAMPIONSHIPS Mr. Rutan commended Tom Jordant Barbara Kouskyt and Ernie Drapela for the work they did organizing the World Veterans' Championships. He said the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 27, 1989 Page 4