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

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e Fran Gillespie, 705 Louis Street, strongly supported the WEWSAS. She said that the landowners will benefit by having their land designated a wetland because they will not be threatened by suburban sprawl. She emphasized the need to prohibit industrial development from polluting the waters in the area. e William G. Welch, 25520 Wolf Creek Road, Veneta, said that his watershed helps feed the wetlands. He requested that adoption of the WEWSAS be post- poned in order to clear the confusion. Referring to the fact sheet, he said that numbers 3 and 8 have already been violated. In reference to number 9, he stated that even though owners may be able to sell their land, there will not be many willing buyers. He questioned the sincerity of number 10. Jennifer Selliken, 4515 Old Dillard Road, commended Mr. Gordon on the WEWSAS. She said that as a private consultant, she has worked with several landowners from the west Eugene study area. She said that it is unfortunate that a few will suffer larger losses than others and that all will not share equally the burden of protecting the watershed. She said that the plan cannot wait for the tax structure that that would require. She noted th~t over 50 percent of the nation's wetlands have already been lost. She commended the WEWSAS for preserving corridors of wetlands. She said that the plan considers water quality, beautification, educational opportunities, and wildlife enhancement. William A. Disher, 88505 Greenhill Road, spoke in support of the WEWSAS. However, he expressed some concerns. He said that he owns property within the primary study area. The first time he received notification regarding the wetlands was April 4, 1992, after he had requested information (on March 31, 1992). He said that he did not receive a letter requesting permission to survey his land for endangered or candidate species. Mr. Disher expressed interest in the topic, but stated that he continues to receive conflicting answers to questions and has been given no assurances that his land will not be taken. Garald Derby, P.O. Box 10187, spoke in opposition to the WEWSAS. He said that when he and other owners tried to create a plan, l-COG staff did not accept it. He maintained that the only people that support the plan are those who are not effected by it. Ms. Dumdi read a letter addressed to Mr. Gordon from Kenneth Bierly in sup- port of the WEWSAS and the letter was submitted to the record. C. Staff Response The commissioners and councilors agreed that staff should provide a brief verbal response to major topics included in public testimony, the elected officials would present their questions to staff, and staff would prepare a more elaborate written response to testimony. Mr. Gordon agreed that residents of the secondary study area did not have adequate input in the study. He said that there are a range of ways this can e MINUTES--Joint Elected Officials April 8, 1992 Page 14