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<br />would need to be relocated if the alignment was shifted. <br /> <br />Given the replacement nature of this project, the fact that crossing the Willamette River at some <br />location is unavoidable, and ODOT's inability to realign 1-5 on adjoining lands based on federal <br />restrictions protecting park lands, there are no feasible and prudent alternatives to re-using the <br />existing 1-5 right-of-way. Accordingly, in terms of economic, social, environmental, and energy <br />consequences, there are no areas warranting comparison. 1-5 is an important highway in the State of <br />Oregon and freight corridor on the west coast. The connectivity and mobility it provides statewide, <br />interstate, and regional travelers provides tremendous benefits both economically and socially. The <br />ability to rebuild within the existing ODOT 1-5 right-of-way minimizes energy consumption and <br />environmental impacts, as the current right-of-way use for interstate travel purposes is maintained. <br />As such, consistent with this standard, the right-of-way is the least productive land in the immediate <br />area in terms of sustaining resource uses. It's continued use for this purpose also means that no <br />other resource or recreational lands need be removed from the resource base therefore this standard <br />is met. <br /> <br />(d) The proposed uses are compatible with other adjacent uses or will be so <br />rendered through measures designed to reduce adverse impacts. The exception shall <br />describe how the proposed use will be rendered compatible with adjacent land uses. <br />The exception shall demonstrate that the proposed use is situated in such a manner <br />as to be compatible with surrounding natural resources and resource management <br />or production practices. Compatible is not intended as an absolute term meaning no <br />interference or adverse impacts of any type with adjacent uses. <br /> <br />Uses adjacent to the affected portion of 1-5 include park land and the Willamette River, and <br />residential and industrial uses. The temporary staging areas are adjacent to park land and the <br />Willamette River, ODOT and Lane County property, and between 1-5 and 1-5 ramps. With the <br />exception of the temporary staging areas, the replacement bridges and associated improvements are <br />being proposed within approximately the same location as both the original and temporary bridges <br />and will be located within existing rights-of-way and right-of-way easements. Considering that this <br />area has been utilized as the 1-5 bridge location since prior to the establishment of Goal 15, <br />replacement of the facility in the same location is more compatible than relocating the facility and <br />converting non-transportation areas to this use. The proposal also includes a reduction in the <br />number of piers from the existing 11 piers to 8, a net reduction in fill, and sound walls. At a <br />conceptual level, these elements will reduce adverse impacts to environmental, recreational and <br />scenic resources and will increase compatibility of the project with adjacent recreational, residential <br />and industrial uses of the area. Regarding the temporary staging locations, the impacts will be <br />temporary and the applicant has proposed several measures to reduce adverse impacts of the <br />construction activities including: a plan to prevent debris from falling into the Willamette River, <br />maintaining a continuous bicycle/pedestrian path, limiting work hours, and restoring the temporary <br />staging areas upon project completion. Additional measures proposed by the applicant to reduce <br />environmental, recreational and scenic impacts, are further discussed under Metro Plan Policy E.2, <br />Goal 8 below, and OAR 660-004-0022(6)(a) above, which are incorporated herein by reference. <br />These measures will further reduce adverse impacts to the adjacent park land and Willamette River, <br />residential, and industrial uses consistent with this standard. <br /> <br />Exhibit A - Findings <br />Page 13 <br />