04/08/1992 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e property. Ten years later, logging was prohibited. He said that now, some of his property will be designated as wetlands and he will be forced to dis- continue farm and forestry activities. He said that he will not be able to afford living on the land. He requested that approval of the plan be post- poned until alternatives can be explored. Sharon Keep, 88920 Fir Butte Road, said that she lives in the secondary study area and is a member of the West Amazon Association. She said that the docu- ment "National Guidance Water Property Guidance for Wetlands" states that by the end of fiscal year 1993, the minimum requirements for states are to in- clude wetlands in the definition of state waters, establish beneficial use for wetlands, adopt existing narratives and numeric for wetlands, and adopt narrative biological wetlands." She continued, "We are focusing on water quality standards for wetlands to ensure that provisions of the Clean Water Act currently applied to other surface waters are also being applied to wet- lands. The document focuses on those elements of water quality standards that can be developed now uSing the overall structure of the water quality standards program and existing information and data sources related to the wetlands." She said the WEWSAS is a pre-integrated designation phase of this future Environmental Protection Agency Goal. She said that this is-particu- larly damaging to our key industries and land because the regulations men- tioned above can be misconstrued and linked through the new designations of waters of the State and/or waters of the U.S. She expressed concern that the regulations would become too restrictive. She submitted a copy of the Feder- al definition of Waters of the U.S. She requested the adoption of the plan be postponed until all landowners fully understand its implications. Denise Henning, 88282 Fisher Road, stated that she has received only three letters from L-COG concerning this study. She requested that the adoption of the study be tabled until she has a better understanding of the study. She requested an environmental impact statement from L-COG regarding the impacts of the study on the property in the secondary study area. She wondered how the study would be implemented with three existing Federal definitions of "wetlands." Stan Cook, 1832 Longview Avenue, expressed concern about the conversion of natural landscapes into urbanized, industrialized space. He expressed con- cern about suburban sprawl in Eugene. He supported the WEWSAS as a mechanism for preserving the fragments of wetlands in the area, water quality, wild- life, open space, scenery, and recreational space. He added that it will mitigate urban flooding, keep the community within Federal and State laws pertaining to wetland preservation, water quality, preservation of rare and endangered species, and LCDC Goal 5. He supported the regional approach taken by the staff. Mr. Cook agreed that the property owners should have adequate time to under- stand the study and partake in its development. MINUTES--Joint Elected Officials April 8, 1992 Page 13