What is the South Ridgeline Habitat Study?
In 2005, the Eugene City Council asked City staff to begin work on a study of potentially important plant and wildlife habitat areas along Eugene's South Ridgeline. The study, called the South Ridgeline Habitat Study (SRHS), evaluated approximately 2,700 acres near the ridgeline of the South Hills to determine where important upland habitat (versus stream and wetland habitat) areas exist. The inventory phase of the SRHS involved the collection of field data by wildlife scientists and botanists. Their work resulted in an inventory and map of native plant communities, such as oak savanna, potential habitats for rare plants, such as the threatened wayside aster, and potential habitat for state-designated sensitive wildlife species, such as the red-legged frog. This inventory will be the basis of future recommendations on possible protection measures or conservation incentive programs for important south ridgeline habitats. More information on habitats and wildlife can be found in the document titled “HABITATS AND WILDLIFE” in the left column.
Where are we in the process?
The SRHS includes an "Inventory" phase and an "Alternatives & Recommendations" phase. The inventory phase was completed in 2006. Also in 2006, staff held a public workshop to present the draft Inventory and Assessment Report, which included information about which habitat types were found and what their relative values were. The draft Inventory and Assessment Report was made available for public comment in the winter of 2006-2007, and, after community comments were addressed, the final report was issued in August 2007. The alternatives and recommendations phase began in March 2007 and included a series of six community meetings, followed by formation of a community task group. The task group developed a Conservation Proposal that was forwarded to the Planning Commission for their review in April 2008. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council following a public forum. Formal public hearings before the Eugene Planning Commission and City Council on recommendations for the study will be held later in the process.
SRHS Task Team Proposal Now Available
