Item 7: Ordinances on Goal 5 Natrual Resources Study

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(c) South Hills at Fox Hollow ditch: This portion of the South Hills site (E37J-4) is a very narrow drainage channel that runs for a short distance along Fox Hollow Road near Owl Road. The channel contains virtually no riparian vegetation, and functions essentially as a roadside drainage ditch. (4) South Hills at Canyon DriveIFox Hollow (E37K); and (5) South Hills at Center Way (E37L): These two stream corridors (E37K and E37L) are both extensive corridors that extend from near the ridgeline down habitat areas at Amazon Creek, and, in addition to site E37J, form the primary headwaters of Amazon Creek. Site E37K is comprised of three stream reaches that flow through the forested areas of the Ridgeline Trail park system. The stream starts in a forested area above 1,000 feet, flows past Fox Hollow near the UGB, and continues down to Martin Street and Kinney Park at the Amazon. Portions of the site have been thinned or narrowed by adjacent development, such as at upper Amazon Drive. However, overall, the corridor is relatively intact. Native species are dominant, including Oregon ash, Douglas-fir and willow. This corridor is located almost entirely within City- owned Ridgeline Trail park land. Near Canyon Drive and Martin Street, the stream (a non-GoalS portion) enters a narrow channel that flows very close to houses and garages, with predominately native riparian species. The stream at Center Way (E37L) is located mostly on Ridgeline Trail park land. It begins near upper Dillard Road, and is comprised of three stream reaches that flow down steep slopes through a mixed deciduous/conifer forest, to the end of Center Way and the BPA powerline easement, where they enter a pipe. There are portions of the corridor, such as those near the BPA easement, where invasive species such as Armenian blackberry are prevalent. However, the corridor contains primarily native species, such as Oregon ash, big leaf maple ponderosa pine, willow, and red-osier dogwood. These sites are valuable for their diversity of plant species, including both riparian and upland species, and structural diversity (trees/shrubs/groundcover layers), making the sites valuable for a variety of wildlife species. Like other stream corridors within the South Hills, these two sites are characterized by steep stream gradients and steep surrounding topography, giving them a valuable role in water quality moderation within the Amazon basin. (6) South Hills at Dillard (E37M): (a) South Hills at Dillard Hollow: This site (E37M-1, M-3) is one of the most pristine riparian corridors the Inventory. Unlike many other sites, this stream corridor is virtually free of non-native species. The site is actually two tributary streams that flow from near Dillard Road down a steep, forested slope and join just east of Nectar Way. The upper portion of the creek (E37M- 3) starts above a "hairpin turn" on Dillard Road within the City-owned Amazon Headwaters Park, a part of the extensive Ridgeline Trail park system. The stream continues northwest (E37M-1) to Nectar Way, where it is joined by the other tributary. The site is a corridor of mixed deciduous/coniferous forest of native species, including Oregon ash, bigleafmaple, and Douglas-fir. Near the bottom of the slope, the streams join and flatten out into a low depressional broadleaf wetland area, consisting of ash, willow, and native understory. Although this portion of the site was not mapped as locally significant wetland, it exhibits wetland characteristics, such as wetland plant species. In addition to a very high quality riparian plant community, the site provides a ESEE Analysis Page 6 October 24, 2005 replacement page