Ordinance No. 18686 - Laserfiche WebLink

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18b 86 C. Environmental Resources Element The Environmental Resources Element deals with the natural assets and hazards of the metropolitan area. The assets include agricultural land, c 1 can air and water, forest 1 and, sand and gravel deposits, scenic areas, vegetation, w i l d l i f e , , and wi 1 d 1i fe habitat. The hazards include probl ems associated with f l o o d s , soils and geology. The emphasis of the policies is directed toward reducing urban impacts on wetlands throughout the metropolitan area and toward planning for the natural assets and constraints on undeveloped lands on the urban fringe. Numerous local efforts reflect a positive attitude by the community toward the natural environment. For example, the Eugene - Springfield metropolitan area has a long history of commitment to local programs directed toward problems of air and water quality. Examples of regional parks which pro- vide significant public open space areas for the metropolitan population include Eugene's Skinner's Butte, Spencer Butte and Hendricks; Lane County's Alton Baker, Clearwater and Howard Buford Recreation Area (Mt. Pisgah) ; and .Wi l l amal ane Park and Recreation District's Dorris. Eugene has focused special planning efforts toward controlling development and maintaining the scenic and environmental assets in the south hills of the city, A tax levy passed by Eugene voters is resulting in additions to the park and open space system in the metropolitan area. Lane County, Springfield, and Eugene all contribute to the local success of the Willamette Ri v -er Greenway Program. The natural environment adds to the l i v a b i l i t y of the metropolitan area. Local awareness and appreciation for nature and the need to provide a .physical 1 y and psychologically healthy urban environment are reasons for promoting a compatible mix of nature and city. Urb areas provide a diversity of economic, social, and cultural opportunities. It is equally important to prov i'de diversity in th natural environment of the city. With proper planning, is possible to allow intense urban development on suitable, land and still retain valuable islands and corridors. of open space. open space may reflect a sensitive natural area, such as the f l oodway fringe, which is protected from development. open space - can also be a park, a qol f course, a cemetery, a body of water, or an area left undeveloped within a private commercial or residential development. Agricultural and forested lands on the fringe of the urban area, in a d d i - t i o n to their primary use, provide secondary scenic and open space values, Air and water resources are especially vital in an urban area. Internal and external factors contribute to problems associated with air quality a.nd. water quality an.d quantity, but techniques are available -to help reduce these prob l ems and make the environment more livable* III,C --1