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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution NO. 4615 ----..~iIII COUNCIL RESOLUTION 4615 A RESOLUTION DECLARING RESPONSE OF THE CITY OF EUGENE TO THE LISTING OF THE UPPER WILLAMETTE SPRING CHINOOK SALMON AS THREATENED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 DATE SUBMITTED: April 10, 2000 PASSED: 7/0 OPPOSED: ABSENT: Farr REJECTED: DEFERRED TO: RESOLUTION NO. 4615 A RESOLUTION DECLARING RESPONSE OF THE CITY OF EUGENE TO THE LISTING OF THE UPPER WILLAMETTE SPRING CHINOOK SALMON AS THREATENED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that: A. Populations of the Upper Willamette River Spring Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawtscha) have declined significantly as the result of many factors, including loss of in-stream and riparian habitat, degraded water quality, operation offish hatcheries, dam construction and operation, and over-harvest -- bringing them close to the brink of extinction. B. On March 16, 1999, the National Marine Fisheries Service listed the spring Chinook Salmon populations that inhabit the Willamette River, McKenzie River, and several of their tributaries, as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. C. The success of protection and restoration efforts for salmon is dependent on partnerships between federal, regional, state, and local government agencies, the private business sector, and the local community. D. The activities of citizens and City government can, and will, affect the future of this threatened species. E. Throughout this past decade, the City has adopted and implemented policies that are designed, in part, to improve habitat and water quality in the rivers and their tributaries. For example, the West Eugene Wetlands Plan was adopted in 1992, and wetland and waterway setbacks were adopted in 1994, to provide effective protection of primary waterways and associated wetlands and riparian areas in west Eugene. The Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (CSWMP) was adopted in 1993, and a stormwater basin planning department advisory committee is currently reviewing proposals which address water quality, flood protection, and related natural resource protection in the City's six basins. In 1996 and 1999, the Council adopted erosion prevention ordinances to minimize water quality impacts from new construction activities. In 1998, the City Council adopted nineteen Growth Management Policies, including Policy 17, which is directed towards the protection and improvement of air, water quality and natural areas of good habitat value. In 1992, the City Council also approved the Natural Resources Functional Plan and related amendments to the Metro Plan; however, those changes did not take effect because Lane County and Springfield did not also adopt them. As part of the current periodic review of the Metro Plan, the 1992 study will be updated and submitted for adoption by all three jurisdictions. F. The City has implemented major activities designed, in part, to protect or improve habitat and water quality conditions. For example, the City and Army Corps of Engineers recently began construction of the Lower Amazon Creek Restoration Project (1135 project). The regional wastewater treatment program, which discharges to the Willamette River, has been managed for years to protect water quality in the Willamette River. In addition, there have been changes in storm sewer, street, and channel maintenance practices in order to reduce negative impacts to water quality. G. following: 1. In 1999, the City Council adopted as two of its main goals for the City the Sustainable Community Growth and Change - A community that successfully retains a high quality of life and a healthy economy while planning and managing growth and change. 2. Healthy Natural and Built Environment - A community that conserves and enhances the natural environment and provides an attractive and healthy place to live. H. Based on the recently adopted goals, the policy direction the Council has provided for the City over the past decade, and the recent history of City activities, the City of Eugene's objectives with regard to natural resources are to find approaches that support natural resources protection or improvement and at the same time meet other City and regional goals to maintain the quality of life. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE9 a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows: Section 1. The City will work pro actively to the best of its ability, through regulatory compliance, restoration projects, community outreach and involvement, and otherwise, to support the recovery of spring Chinook salmon populations. Section 2. The City will respond to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of the Chinook Salmon with an integrated, City-wide effort. Section 3. The City will study and may modify certain City programs, in order to identify opportunities to enhance their salmon recovery potential, and to minimize impact to salmon, in-stream and riparian habitat. The City will work in partnership with the National Marine Fisheries Service in such study and modification, and may seek approval of such programs under the ESA mechanisms that provide limitations on the take prohibitions. Section 4. The City will strive to minimize uncertainty as to ESA compliance for its on-going activities and for its citizens during the time it takes to develop and implement a comprehensive response to the listing. Section 5. The City will work in partnership with other local agencies, public and private entities (e.g., the Metropolitan ESA Coordinating Team, the Willamette Urban Watershed Network, and the Willamette Restoration Initiative), and the State of Oregon, to develop regional Chinook salmon recovery plans that are consistent with local growth management and livability policies. Section 6. The City Manager is directed to develop a work program for Council review and approval. The goals of the work program are to achieve: (a) no degradation of the salmon's in-stream and riparian habitat, and (b) restoration of that habitat. The work program should include: (a) a watershed assessment to identify factors that limit salmon survival and recovery; and (b) a systematic review of the City's own practices, and modifications to the City's own practices, as appropriate. The work program should also consider the creation of incentives, disincentives, or regulatory requirements designed to ensure that the actions of people and businesses within the City are consistent with the objectives expressed in this Resolution. Section 7. The City Manager is directed to work with the chief executive officers of Springfield and Lane County to schedule the actions necessary for public review and adoption of the Metropolitan Natural Resources Study and related amendments to the Metropolitan Area General Plan. The foregoing Resolution adopted this 10 day of April, 2000. 11'- /Jl!y City Recorder '