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round, no more leaves are allowed to be piled in the street. As always, property owners who choose to place
<br />leaves in the street are responsible for keeping bike lanes open and passable, catch basins clear, and sticks,
<br />branches and other debris out of leaf piles.
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<br />Each year, the Eugene Public Works Department collects more than 15,000 cubic yards of leaves in an effort to
<br />keep leaves from plugging the storm drainage system and degrading water quality in local streams. The following
<br />are some tips for managing leaves:
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<br /> Pile leaves well away from catch basins. If a catch basin plugs, scrape the leaves away from the grate. Be
<br />careful working in standing water.
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<br /> Consider using leaves as compost or mulch rather than piling them in the street.
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<br /> Remove leaves from sidewalks. Wet, slippery leaves are a hazard to pedestrians.
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<br /> Avoid putting leaves in bike lanes. Leaf piles that obstruct bike lanes are a hazard to cyclists.
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<br />For more information, contact Public Works Maintenance Supervisor, Damon Joyner, at 541-682-4835.
<br />Information is also available on the leaf program hotline at 682-5383, or on the web at www.eugene-or.gov/leaf.
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<br />Community Outreach Conveys Harmful Effects of Feeding Waterfowl
<br />Over 60 Canada and domestic white geese have taken up year-round residency in Alton Baker Park, in part due to
<br />people feeding these birds throughout the year. Although feeding and interacting with waterfowl has been an
<br />enjoyable activity for local residents over the years, many do not realize it can cause environmental degradation,
<br />long-term health problems for these animals, and potential health risks to
<br />humans. An easily visible and common health problem for the waterfowl
<br />in Eugene parks is called “angel wing,” a deformity in young birds which is
<br />acquired as a result of a diet high in carbohydrates. Food sources such as
<br />bread bring on the condition, causing their wings to twist outward,
<br />rendering them flightless. Feeding waterfowl also discourages their natural
<br />behavior, leading to high concentrations that cause costly environmental
<br />damage and make the park less enjoyable for many community members.
<br />In addition, bird droppings in a concentrated area can create high levels of
<br />bacteria and parasites in water, which can harm fish populations and pose
<br />a risk to human health. The City of Eugene Parks and Open Space
<br />Division has begun an education program to help community members
<br />learn more about the impacts of feeding waterfowl and to encourage them
<br />Goose with “angel wing”
<br />to enjoy these animals from a distance. This education effort includes new interpretive signage in Alton Baker
<br />Park, a recent overview of the issue in Eugene Outdoors, and planned media outreach in the spring of 2009. In
<br />December, the program was also covered by the Register-Guard, Associated Press, and Seattle Times. For more
<br />information, contact Turf and Grounds Supervisor, Rob Hallett at 682-4935 or rob.hallett@ci.eugene.or.us .
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<br />State Revises Bottle Bill and Electronics Recycling
<br />Bottle Bill --
<br />Under the Oregon Bottle Bill, people pay a 5-cent container deposit when they buy beer and soft
<br />drinks and can return the containers to obtain the 5-cent refund for each container returned. The law has been
<br />successful and popular, with high recycling rates and reduced litter, but higher costs for grocers. The 2007
<br />Legislature added a 5-cent refund value to water and flavored water containers, effective January 1. For
<br />information, visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality website at
<br />http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/sw/bottlebill/index.htm.
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<br />E-cycles –
<br />Electronics recycling will become a lot easier in Lane County due to a new statewide “E-Cycles”
<br />program resulting from the 2007 Oregon Electronics Recycling Law. As of January 1, any Oregonian can recycle
<br />seven or fewer of the following items at no charge: computers and monitors, laptops and televisions. All cities,
<br />with a population larger than 10,000, are required to provide access to free recycling. Locally, this new opportunity
<br />will be in effect at two businesses, Next Step Recycling and Goodwill of Lane County, as well as at Lane County’s
<br />Glenwood Transfer Station. Oregonians can learn more about Oregon E-Cycles and how it works through a new
<br />web site, www.oregonecycles.org, or by calling the toll-free hotline, 1-800-5-ECYCLE (1-800-532-9253). Site users
<br />will be able to find the nearest recycling/collection site to drop off unwanted items. For more information on either
<br />program contact Solid Waste and Green Building Program Manager, Ethan Nelson, at
<br />ethan.a.nelson@ci.eugene.or.us or by calling 682-5224.
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<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
<br />December 23, 2008
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