The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wants public input on land acquisitions in the Fern Ridge area west of Eugene. The parcels would be accessible to the public and be part of the Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program.
The acquisition would add 140 acres to the South Coyote unit of the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area managed by ODFW.
Credit ODFW video still
ODFW’S Kelly Reis said the program is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration. It’s meant to help fulfill the agency’s obligations to offset the impacts of hydro-electric projects on wildlife habitat.
“By acquiring these properties the idea is that it would permanently settle that mitigation requirement for the Bonneville Power Administration,” Reis said. “These properties are acquired for their habitat values and the habitat they provide to wildlife species in the Willamette System.”
Correspondent
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021
KEY ACTION: Discussed a proposed 10-year, 0.25% percent income tax increase for road repairs, paving, and equipment replacement costs in the service department.
DISCUSSION: Mayor Cynthia Billings said village officials have received constant complaints from residents about the condition of village streets. “It will be 16-plus years before all the roads in the village can be repaired and we can’t stop all the other work we must do (in order to) do roads, as some have suggested,” Billings said. “I think a small tax increase is the way to go. Something needs done.”
The income tax would increase the village’s income tax rate from 1% to 1.25% and would generate an estimated $450,000 annually. Billings said the plan would also complete paving citywide within five to seven years.