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Preface to the Summary <br />Of particular relevance to master plan code and implementation phases is the <br />understanding that the full report devoted substantial attention to: <br />• Assessing what could be achieved in both ecological and experiential terms within the <br />proposed open space envelope for the site and recommending targeted modifications to the <br />open space envelope that respected the project's needs to balance and integrate ecological, <br />economic and experiential success <br />• Providing recommendations for interweaving riparian vegetation and river edge complexity <br />with design aesthetics and human use functions across the site to create an integrated design <br />gradient of human use and ecological function. <br />• Analyzing the site for its current role and future potential as locally significant habitat and as <br />a citywide /regional connector for terrestrial and aquatic species. In particular, assessing <br />habitat values of different configurations of riparian vegetation patches and buffers, and of <br />different river edge design opportunities for terrestrial and aquatic species. <br />• Identifying achievable ecological and educational opportunities on the site and recommend <br />design and management treatments to achieve them. This included ways to achieve <br />meaningful riverine ecological functions that are functionally and experientially integrated <br />with development and recreational uses. <br />A fundamental tenet of the report was that: <br />"The decisions made now should represent not just thinking about current conditions and <br />goals for the site, but rather a perspective of what the citizens of Eugene are likely to value <br />most highly SO to 100 years from now. " <br />The report emphasized two overarching principles in the application of both innovative and long- <br />standing design strategies: <br />• Do no harm <br />• Anchor key ecological values and opportunities in concert with human experiential and <br />educational values <br />As described in the section "Design and Management Strategies for Wildlife and People" of the <br />full report, some of the specific steps recommended to achieving these ends included: <br />1) Enhancement, restoration and management of riparian native plant communities along the <br />river's edge that are guided by specific attention to the needs of valued native wildlife <br />species, as well as the experiential values provided for people. <br />2) Protection of existing native riparian trees on the site. <br />3) Regrading the steep upper bank above the Ordinary High Water Mark in selected areas to <br />provide better visual access and proximity to the rivers' edge for people, and allow more <br />reliable reestablishment and maintenance of desired native vegetation on the banks. <br />4) Maintenance of the existing narrow bands of 2 -year floodplain and expansion of the 2 -10 <br />year floodplain in selected areas by bank modification and engineered restabilization to <br />2 <br />