Water Quality Protected Waterways

As part of the City of Eugene’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (CSWMP) to reduce stormwater pollution, and in response to federal Clean Water Act regulations including the Upper Willamette Basin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDLs) requirements, in June 2006 the City initiated a proposal for protecting waterways for water quality purposes. Under the initial proposal, nearly 90 miles of waterways were proposed for protection, including 75-foot setback areas along each side of the waterways. A public outreach process on the initial proposal was conducted including an open house where affected property owners, interested persons, and the general public attended and provided feedback. As a result of the issues raised, significant revisions were made to the proposal. The revised (November 2007) proposal would apply water quality protections only to the original waterways of concern that have no existing protections including Goal 5 wildlife habitat regulations. Under the revised proposal, 13.6 miles of waterways are proposed for protection, including: 40-foot setbacks on each side of headwater streams (measured from the centerline of the waterway) and 25-foot setbacks on each side of all other waterways (measured from the top of high bank).

Eugene Planning Commission Recommendation

A Eugene Planning Commission public hearing for consideration of the proposal was held on January 15, 2008. The role of the Planning Commission is to make recommendations to the City Council regarding adoption of the ordinance and related zone changes. On March 31 the Planning Commission voted (4 in favor, 3 opposed) to recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance.