Item 7: Ordinances on Goal 5 Natrual Resources Study

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upland species, including filbert, Oregon oak, and some old growth Douglas-fir. Much of the corridor has a steep gradient and steep side slopes, making the corridor valuable for preventing water quality impacts from erosion in downstream portions of Amazon Creek. At the end of Mahalo Drive, the creek enters the piped stormwater system that empties into Amazon Creek. (3) South Hills at Owl Road/Fox Hollow (E37J, AMA-13): (a) South Hills at Lower Owl Road (E37 J-l, E37 J-2); Owl Road wetland (AMA-13); South Hills at Donald/Fox Hollow (E37 J-5): This group of sites (E37 J-l, E37 J-2, E37 J-5, AMA-13,) contains segments of one of the most extensive stream corridors in the South Hills, and forms one of the main headwater tributaries to Amazon Creek. The stream begins halfway up the steep north slope of Spencer's Butte (outside the UGB), drops down through a forest of primarily native Oregon ash and Oregon oak, and follows Owl Road down to Fox Hollow. Across Fox Hollow, the stream continues through the common area of Wood leaf Village (a non-Goal 5 segment), turns east near Donald Street through open fields and the BP A powerline easement. Here the corridor has been heavily cleared, and Armenian blackberry is rampant; however, the channel, which shows signs that it carries significant flow, is lined with thickets of native willow and spiraea. At the lower end of the powerline easement, the stream drops down the forested slope to join Amazon Creek at Martin Street. The eastern reach of this site starts at the upper end of Amazon Drive, flows across the BPA powerline easement, and drops down through a forested area to Martin Street. Portions of this corridor have been highly disturbed by logging, grazing and other impacts, such as the area at the Owl Road/Fox Hollow intersection, and the open area through the BP A easement. However, disturbed areas in the corridor generally have retained some riparian habitat, such as scattered native trees or thickets of willow. The majority ofthe corridor has a relatively intact riparian area of predominately native species, such as Oregon ash, bigleafmaple, Douglas fir, spiraea, an occasional black cottonwood, and willow. Closer to Amazon Creek, the corridor shows a greater mix of riparian and upland plant species. This group of sites is characterized by steep stream gradients and steep surrounding slopes, so it plays an important role in protecting the water quality in the Amazon Creek basin from erosion. From Spencer's Butte down to Amazon Creek, this corridor provides a nearly 2 mile long wildlife corridor that connects habitats in the Ridgeline Trail preserve to habitat in Amazon Creek on the valley floor. (b) Owl Road wetland: Wetland AMA-13 is located at the base of Spencer's Butte on along Owl Road. It occurs within and adjacent to the stream corridor that runs along the south side Owl Road. Water from this wetland and the stream meets Fox Hollow Road, flows in an open channel along Fox Hollow Road for a short distance, and then joins the main stream corridor. This wetland area contributes to the habitat diversity of this stream system, and is one of only two wetlands mapped in the South Hills. ESEE Analysis Page 5 October 24, 2005 replacement page