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2.0 Study Area Characteristics This chapter describes the location, physical environment, land uses and zoning, and other general characteristics of the study area that affect this facilities planning effort. 2.1 Study Area The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area is located in the heart of Lane County, Oregon, and is situated in the southern Willamette Valley along the Willamette and McKenzie rivers. Eugene-Springfield makes up Oregon's second largest metropolitan area. Interstate 5 divides the metropolitan area; Eugene is located on the west side, and Springfield is located on the east side of Interstate 5. Figure 2.1-1 shows the location of Eugene-Springfield within Lane County. MWMC provides regional sewerage and wastewater services for the Eugene- Springfield metropolitan area. The current MWMC service area is shown in Figure 2.1-2 (the urban growth boundaries of Springfield and Eugene serve as the boundaries of service). Although not in the city limits, service is also provided to the Santa Clara/River Road area, north of the WPCF. MWMC will continue to provide regional services to a growing metropolitan area over the next 20 years. Figure 2.1-2 shows the anticipated urban growth boundary used for planning purposes through the design year 2025. The focus of this Facilities Plan is future expansion or modifications of MWMC facilities and operations. Impacted facilities include the WPCF, the BMF, the SIWF, and the Biocycle Farm. Study area characteristics for each of these sites and the general metropolitan area need to be well-defined so that any impact to the surrounding environment through facility modifications or operations may be easily quantified relative to the base characteristics. Figure 2.13 shows the location of each of the regional wastewater treatment facilities and their associated impact areas. The WPCF is located at 410 River Avenue, on 100 acres, township and range T17S R4W Section 13. The BMF is located at 29689 Awbrey Lane, township and range T16S R4W Section 33. The SIWF is located at 91199 Prairie Road, Junction City, township and range T16S R4W Sections 27, 35, and 34. 2.2 Physical Environment 2.2.1 Climate The average winter temperature at Eugene is approximately 42 degrees F with an average daily minimum temperature of 35 degrees. The lowest temperature occurred at Eugene on December 8, 1972, and registered -12 degrees F. In summer, the average temperature is 64 degrees F. The average daily maximum temperature is about 76 degrees F (NRCS, 1977). Average annual rainfall is 43 inches, falling mostly between September and June (City of Eugene, 2004). The average seasonal snowfall is 5 inches at Eugene. The greatest snow depth at any one time during the period of record was 11 inches at Eugene. On an average, Eugene has 2 days with at least 1 inch of snow on the ground, but the number of such days varies greatly from year to year. MWMC_2.0_REV23.DOC 2-1