Laserfiche WebLink
<br />environmental permits that apply to the statewide bridge program. These performance standards <br />define the level of effect that a project may have upon the environment, thereby limiting or avoiding <br />impacts to the environment through the use of proper planning, design, and construction activities. <br />To avoid fish and wildlife species and minimize temporary impacts from construction activities, all <br />applicable OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program EPS will be implemented to reduce the extent <br />of direct and indirect impacts to fish and wildlife species. Effects to water resources during <br />construction and operation of the project will be minimized through the implementation of <br />applicable mitigation measures in the OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program EPS. It is noted that <br />with regard to pier locations shown on page 9 of the application, Option B indicates a pier closer to <br />the Mill Race, while Option A shows a pier closer to the Willamette River, however, no specific <br />design is being reviewed at this time in the context of a plan amendment. Local permitting <br />processes include Willamette Greenway permit and Water Resources Conservation Overlay for <br />Eugene, and a 75-foot riparian setback review for Springfield. Natural vegetation, natural water <br />features, and drainage-ways shall be protected and retained to the maximum extent practical, <br />consistent with these permitting processes. <br /> <br />This adequately addresses protection of natural vegetation, natural water features, and drainage- <br />ways in the context of the proposed plan amendments. Additionally, these specific construction and <br />operational details will be appropriately addressed during local permitting processes, subject to <br />applicable approval criteria and related standards. <br /> <br />E.4 Public and private facilities shall be designed and located in a manner that preserves and <br />enhances desirable features of local and neighborhood areas and promotes their sense of <br />identity. <br /> <br />The replacement bridges will be located within the same ODOT right-of-way where the <br />decommissioned bridge is located, an area already utilized by transportation infrastructure. The <br />proposal also includes a reduction in the total number of piers, a reduction in the number of piers in <br />the Willamette River, and review of bridge design options (based on aesthetic and budgetary <br />considerations) through a separate public process; all of which should contribute to a positive visual <br />impact, consistent with this policy. <br /> <br />Additionally, impacted riparian areas and other lands within the greenway setback will be protected <br />during the later permitting process through the imposition of approval conditions as necessary to <br />comply with applicable approval criteria and related standards. Specifics of the bridge design can be <br />considered during the plan amendment process or, for Springfield, through the Discretionary Use <br />Approval process as provided in SDC 3.3-325 25.050 and 5.9-120. Conceptual designs are being <br />addressed as part of the federal draft environmental process that precedes local land use decision- <br />making. Additionally, as noted above in the discussion of Statewide Planning Goal 1 , the public is <br />involved in this process. Among other things, ODOT established a Community Advisory Group <br />(CAG) composed of representatives of local neighborhood associations, parks departments (City of <br />Eugene and Willamalane Park and Recreation District), the Citizen Planning Committee for the <br />Whilamut Natural Area, chambers of commerce, and the University of Oregon that has been <br />involved in the development of the project and will continue to be involved during selection of the <br />bridge type, its design, and construction. <br /> <br />Exhibit A - Findings <br />Page 31 <br />