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the Willamette River and its tributaries. Water temperature is critical to maintaining fish stocks, reducing bacteria and restoring natural habitat. An example of a potential trade in the marketplace might involve a municipal wastewater treatment facility and a group of farmers who own land along the banks of a Willamette River tributary. “Using the marketplace, a wastewater treatment plant could meet its regulatory requirements by contracting with farmers to create shade along streams with permanent plantings, instead of using lots of electricity to run expensive cooling equipment,” explains John Miller, a nursery and vineyard owner who serves as the Partnership’s Vice Chair. “Conservation credits can benefit municipal water and sewer ratepayers, farm and forest owners and the critters that need better habitats.” The vision for the Willamette ecosystem marketplace addresses more than just water temperature. “This grant will build the technical foundation necessary for effective marketplace trading,” says David Primozich, executive director of the Willamette Partnership. “The trading process needs to be transparent and accountable. The ecological results on the ground and in our streams and rivers need to be measurable and result in regulatory compliance. Laying the foundation for the Willamette ecosystem ‘marketplace’ also provides an exciting opportunity to build the enduring coalitions that are essential to achieving broader environmental results more quickly and less expensively than is currently possible.” Locally, the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission supported the grant application and will be investing staff time and resources on projects related to temperature mitigation in the Willamette River. Local members of the Willamette Partnership’s 2005 board of directors include Steve Gordon, a retired natural resource planner with the Lane Council of Governments, and David Hulse, a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Oregon and former chair of the UO Landscape Architecture department. For more information about the grant or the Willamette Partnership, contact Peter Ruffier, director of Eugene’s Public Works Wastewater Division, at 541-682-8606, or Willamette Partnership Executive Director David Primozich at 503-434-8033. Trends, Mysteries and Obstacles Highlighted in Stormwater Connections Outdoor cleaning trends, an ancient mystery and watery obstacle courses are just a few of the stories featured it the Fall 2005 issue of Stormwater Connections, due out Monday, November 14, as an insert in the Register- Guard. The connection between clean and healthy rivers and home maintenance activities is not always obvious. The feature story, “When Good Cleaning Activities Go Bad”, calls attention to the growing trend of pressure washing, discharge dilemmas and how to make sure the job is done right. As the rainy season kicks into gear, leaf- plugged storm drains may create watery obstacle courses that can challenge anyone traveling by foot, wheelchair, bicycle or car. Included are some tips on preventing storm drain blockage and general information about flooding. Although 1996 was the last time this area experienced flooding locally, it’s not always possible to predict when the next flood will occur. Do you know if your property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area or what kind of discounts Eugene residents can get on flood insurance premiums? A map and floodplain information services are listed along with preparedness tips. Why write about these topics? Educating and informing community members about stormwater pollution and ways to protect local waterways is a best management practice in the City’s Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). Articles in Stormwater Connections typically address seasonal or current issues and cover at least one subject of interest to younger citizens. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 November 10, 2005