Eugene, OR

Eugene’s nature-friendly programs and initiatives are a mixture of exemplary plans and programs and potential yet to be realized. The city helped to create a nationally recognized wetlands program for protecting the rare wet prairie lands discovered in the western part of the city, while allowing industrial development to proceed. The city also has one of the nation’s oldest integrated pest management practices for city lands, an exemplary wastewater treatment program, a large number of natural resources staff, an impressive wetlands restoration program, and an admirable procedure for lobbying for federal funds cooperatively with other local jurisdictions. Progress could still be made on the stormwater management plan (a strong document, but implementation has been slow) and in protecting sensitive natural areas outside of the West Eugene Wetlands Plan boundary.

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