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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 19343ORDINANCE N0. ~q~4~ A SPECIAL ORDINANCE GRANTING TO THE AN EXEMPTION APPLICATION 4F EUGENE CODE 1 SECTION 6.2OD~ 911, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The City Council of the Cit of • y Eugene finds as follows: 1. Eugene Code, 191 Section • 6,240 proscribes the ractice p of open burning wi th i n the C i t of • • y Eugene with spec7f~ed exce tion p s to this ban. This ordinance i s a component of local measures designed to assure cam fiance i p w th federal ambient air ualilt q y standards. 2. Maintenance and enhancemen t of air quality ~s Cr~tTCal to the health and welfare of me trapol~tan area residents the area's ability to attract new busine • sses, and avoidance of sanctions for noncompliance. 3, The EugeneawSpringfield Metro pol~tan Area General Plan Metro Plank adopted and acknowl • edged ~n ~98Z, ~dent~f~es the Willow Creek Basin as a ma 'or row • J g th area for the C1ty. A portion of the Basin is denominated "Park ~~ s and open Space. That area is the habitat of several uni u • q e and rare species of plants ~Lomatium bradshaii, Eri eron d g ecumbens var, decumbens, Aster Curtis ~~ common names Bradshaw's ] • omat~um, W~ llamette valley daisy, wh i te~~~top aster These ~ species at one time recta p m~nated in the Willamette vane Their y habitat area ~s quite limited now. This special habitat area was id • ent~f~ed ~n the July, I98Z Willow Creek Special Area Stud y~ 4. Subsequent to these acti ons and pursuant to their terms, the Nature Conservanc bec y ame the managers of this sensitive 1 ~~ Ordinance habitat area and this area was annexed to the Cit . y 5. Management of this habitat and preservation of the rare plant species requires a "species protection" o en burnin p g of vegetation for scientific purposes and to foster rowth, This 9 burning of these rare plants wi l 1 restore the area to its historical prairie condition and replecate the indigenious environment for the rare plants, G. A limited and special exception to the o en burnin p g ban in Eugene Code, 191I, Section 6,240 is necessar for y this purpose, This limited exception is based upon the high Costs and limited practicability of alternative vegetation control methods the limited nature of the expected burn, air ollution control p strategies that wi l 1 be employed to prevent significant de radat i on 9 of air quality, the special recognition given to this area and habitat in the comprehensive planning documents, the Cit 's y direct responsibility under those plans for reservation of the p natural resources in this area, and the general public benefit derived from the preservation of th i s habitat, This 1 invited exceptian is unique and should not serve as precedent for future exceptions or signal any relaxation of the City's commitment to preservation of air quality, Nod(, THEREFORE, THE CITY of EUGENE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The findings set forth above are ado ted, p Section 2, The City shall continue to use its outdoor burning ordinance as one method for maintaining and im rovin P 9 air quality of the metropolitan area, 2 ~.~ Ordinance Section 3. An exception to the application of Eugene Code, 1971, Section 6, 20o is given to the Nature Conservancy for the area designated fvr Parks and open Space i n the Wi 11 aw Creek Basin by the Metro Plan, providing the following conditions are met; a. The burn area is no greater than thirty acres. b. Environmental protection and fire suppression strategies, personnel .and equipment ~ including wind d~rect~on, moisture regime, and fire fighting equipment} are approved by the Eugene Fire Marsha] and Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority, c. The burn occur only in one time period of ane or more days during the period of August 15 through October 30, 1985, d. The Nature Conservancy assumes responsibility for providing all equipment and personnel associated with the burn and for complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws. Section 4. That the matters contained herein concerrn the public welfare and safety and therefore, an emergenc is y hereby declared to exist, and this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon i is passage by the C ity Counci 1 and a royal pp by the Mayor, Passed by the City Council this 12th day of August 1985 ~ qty Recorder approved by the Mayor this 1Zth day of August 1985 or 3 ~~ ordinance