Item C: Willamette River Open Space Vision and Action Plan

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Endorsement of Willamette River Open Space Vision and Action Plan (A Refinement to the Rivers to Ridges Vision) Meeting Date: July 12, 2010 Agenda Item Number: C Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Neil Björklund www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-4909 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a work session to review and endorse the Willamette River Open Space Vision and Action Plan. BACKGROUND Over the past decade, numerous planning efforts have studied and made recommendations on the Willamette River at various scales ranging from the entire Willamette Valley down to individual sites along the river. However, a comprehensive open space vision or plan has never been compiled specifically for the Willamette River in and around the metropolitan region. In 2003, the Rivers to Ridges - Metropolitan Regional Parks and Open Space Vision was endorsed unanimously by local elected officials and identified the Willamette River as a key element of the region’s open space network from a habitat, recreational, visual, and cultural perspective. In addition, the Willamette River corridor was recognized for its importance for linking several of the region’s most significant park and open space features such as Buford Recreation Area, Doris Ranch, Island Park, Alton Baker Park and the Whilamut Natural Area, Skinner Butte Park, Delta Ponds and Green Island. The Willamette River open space planning effort was initiated in June 2009. Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) has facilitated this visioning process, working closely with 15 partner organizations including the City of Eugene (see attached draft plan for a list of partners). Public outreach has included two workshops, an online survey (completed by nearly 500 participants), and extensive outreach to a variety of interest groups. The open space vision is intended to serve as a conceptual framework to guide future open space and recreation planning and acquisition efforts for the Willamette River corridor in the coming years and decades and is non-regulatory in nature. Implementation will be achieved through the combined efforts of the partnership, property owners, and the public and will rely on voluntary land owner participation. Planning Commission Recommendation The Eugene Planning Commission received a presentation about the Willamette River Open Space Vision and Action Plan at their May 10, 2010, meeting. After discussion, the Planning Commission Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100712\S100712C.doc