Item B: Leaf Program Informational Update

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Leaf Program Informational Update Meeting Date: September 16, 2009 Agenda Item: B Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Jeff Lankston www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-4813 ISSUE STATEMENT The council requested this work session to receive information about Eugene’s annual leaf program, including a report from staff on what steps are being taken in response to safety concerns related to leaves being piled in bike lanes. BACKGROUND Eugene’s leaf program was established in the 1960s. Initially, the program’s primary focus was flood prevention. Leaves were removed from the street so they wouldn’t clog storm drains. In 1993, the City adopted a Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (CSWMP) in response to federal clean water requirements. CSWMP and subsequent National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits included leaf collection as a best management practice because leaves that are washed into local waterways decompose and consume oxygen in the water, a form of pollution called eutrophication. Eugene’s current leaf program meets multiple stormwater objectives (preventing flooding and improving water quality). Eugene is designated as a Tree City USA, in part because its urban forest includes more than 75,000 street trees. These trees shed leaves on the rights-of-way, and under the terms of the City’s NPDES permit, a program must be in place to collect these leaves and prevent them from polluting local waterways. In addition, property owners traditionally have been allowed to place leaves into the streets for collection by City crews. The City has established guidelines for residents who choose this service option: only clean leaves are accepted (no sticks or other non-leaf debris), leaves should not be placed in the street until the weekend before the scheduled collection in that neighborhood, and leaves should be placed in a manner that does not obstruct bike or motor vehicle travel lanes. These safety tips have been provided to residents through news articles, television and newspaper advertisements, published brochures and on the internet. Many residents and commercial landscapers comply with the guidelines; some do not. Over the past 10 years, program information materials also have urged residents to consider alternatives to placing leaves in the street. These materials emphasize the benefits of composting or mulching with leaves and alternative methods of leaf disposal, including giving them to neighbors or taking them to a recycling company such as Rexius or Lane Forest Products. Some residents have changed their habits in response to these suggestions. Overall, however, on-street leaf volumes have remained at a fairly constant level of about 16,000 cubic yards of leaves per year. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090916\S090916B.doc