HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 11 17 AIS_SpringfieldSpeaks Session_Wetland RiparianAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 11/17/2020
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Staff
Contact/Dept.:
Monica Sather/DPW
Staff Phone No: 541-736-1038
Estimated Time: 15 Minutes
COMMITTEE FOR CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT (CCI)
Council Goals: Promote and Enhance our
Hometown Feel while
Focusing on Livability
and Environmental
Quality
ISSUE TITLE: Wetlands and Riparian Corridors Explained: What are they, and why do they matter?
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Gain familiarity with SpringfieldOregonSpeaks by:
Identifying the functions of wetlands and riparian corridors that appear relevant to
the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion areas
Sharing examples of favorite places with water resources (such as wetlands and
riparian corridors) and why these places are considered CCI Members’ favorites
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
Staff is interested in using this opportunity to test the SpringfieldOregonSpeaks
platform by providing an overview of what wetlands and riparian corridors are and
what they offer. From there, staff would like to hear from the CCI about the two items
listed in the Action Requested section above.
ATTACHMENTS: ATTACHMENT 1: Factsheet: Wetland and Riparian Functions
ATTACHMENT 2: Study Area Map
ATTACHMENT 3: Study Area Photos
DISCUSSION: An update to Springfield’s Natural Resources Study (Study) first requires an updated
inventory of wetlands and riparian corridors. Together, updates to the Study and the
inventory are part of the Wetland & Riparian Inventories for UGB Expansion Areas
project. The CCI met on April 21, 2020 to approve the project’s Community
Engagement Plan. In 2021, Planning Commission will meet to recommend preferred
options for protecting wetlands and riparian corridors with a policy-based approach. A
deeper understanding of what wetlands and riparian corridors are can inform these
future steps in the project.
This project involves evaluating the degree to which each wetland and riparian corridor
provides plant life, fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and more. These factors,
among others, represent the functions of wetlands and riparian corridors. Attachment 1
highlights why these resources matter with regard to the functions they serve. The
video of the staff presentation for this issue expands upon Attachment 1 with ways
these water resources benefit Springfield and our region.
Based on content in the video and attachments, the CCI can discuss with staff which
functions are most likely to apply to Springfield’s UGB expansion area. An overview
map of the study areas within the UGB expansion area is in Attachment 2 to orient
readers to the geographic scope of this inventory and update project. Photos of some of
the resources in each of the three study areas are in Attachment 3.
After the CCI identifies some of the functions water resources throughout the UGB
expansion area will provide, staff request an opportunity to learn from the CCI about
what Members’ favorite places are that have water resources such as wetlands (e.g.,
areas near ponds, streams, etc.) and riparian corridors (e.g., areas near streams, rivers,
etc.) and why these places are considered favorite places.
WETLANDS & RIPARIAN CORRIDORS
WHAT ARE THEY?
WHAT DO THEY DO? WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Wetlands and riparian corridors have many functions. They:
Riparian corridors are waterways and
the land area directly along the
waterway. When left in a more natural
state, they are buffers between the
water and many human impacts.
Wetlands are areas that are saturated
by surface water or ground water, where
such water occurs at a frequency and
duration sufficient to support types of
vegetation that are adapted for life in
saturated soil conditions. Simply stated,
wetlands are areas with plants and soils
that are best-suited to wet conditions.
Equip us to handle flood emergencies: Wetlands and
riparian corridors can act like sponges and absorb floodwater.
An acre of wetland can store between 1-1.5 million gallons of
floodwater.
Enhance water quality: The vegetation in these areas reduces
erosion of areas along the bank (especially riparian areas)
because of roots in the soil. Both the underground and
aboveground parts of a plant keep waste and other residue like
sediment out of water when it flows to a stream or river after
the rain. Wetlands act as filters and purifiers because they
absorb and hold water before it soaks into the ground.
Wetlands can remove as much as 90 percent of solids in water.
Provide various species places to live: The strips of land that
follow the river are critical travel corridors because they allow
animals to move freely. Shade from trees and other plants
cools water to a temperature that allows aquatic-based life to
survive. The waterbodies themselves serve as habitat that
allows for shelter to hide, breed, or sleep. Although wetlands
only make up about 5 percent of the land surface in the
contiguous United States, wetlands are home to 31 percent of
our nation’s plant species.
Boost aesthetic & property values: Market prices can
sometimes reflect the “quality of life” or amenity values
provided by wetlands and riparian corridors. For residential
development in urban areas, the market price of properties
with views of natural areas is often greater than the price of
similar properties without these views.
Offer spaces for recreation & education: These areas allow
for great places to enjoy and learn about the outdoors.
Opportunities for recreation include parks and trails. Here,
classes and tours can also interact up-close with the featured
educational topic.
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 1
Attachment 2, Page 1 of 1
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
North Gateway
G1.
Attachment 3, Page 1 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
North Gateway (Cont.)
G3.
G2.
Attachment 3, Page 2 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Willamalane Parks/Oxbow Site
W1.
Attachment 3, Page 3 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Willamalane Parks/Oxbow Site (Cont.)
W2.
W3.
Attachment 3, Page 4 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Willamalane Parks/Oxbow Site (Cont.)
W4.
Attachment 3, Page 5 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Mill Race
MR1.
Attachment 3, Page 6 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Mill Race (Cont.)
MR2.
MR3.
Attachment 3, Page 7 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Mill Race (Cont.)
MR4.
MR5.
Attachment 3, Page 8 of 9
STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Mill Race (Cont.)
MR6.
MR7.
Attachment 3, Page 9 of 9