Wetlands and Riparian Areas

Proposals for Significance Determination and Protection Measures for Wetlands and Riparian Areas are now available for public review and comment.  The proposals are attached below at the end of the list of documents in the "Wetlands and Riparian Areas" Section of this Page. The Inventory is Draft and may be modified based on review and comments by the Department of State Lands.

 

The public reviewed these proposals at the third Open House held April 30, 2012. These proposals will be modified and further developed over the next several months. Please check the web site periodically for updates.  To provide comment, contact Sandra Belson or Carol Heinkel at the contact information listed below. 

 

A second public meeting specifically for the Wetland and Riparian Inventory was held at the Florence Events Center on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 5:30-7:00 pm with presentations starting at 5:30. The meeting allowed interested citizens and property owners a chance to review and comment on the inventory completed by the consultants, Pacific Habitat Services Inc. Presentations were given by the consultant, the City of Florence, and the Oregon Department of State Lands concerning the results of the study and potential future policy decisions by the City.

 

The Wetland and Riparian Areas Project Element involves the development of a "Wetland and Riparian Area Protection and Restoration Plan" thatuses the Oregon Rapid Wetland Assessment Protocol (ORWAP).

This project elementupdates the 1996 biological and functional assessment; assesses omitted wetlands; includes delineations made since 1996; and adopts policies and measures to protect the unique functions and values of the resources. The City will also do preliminary work to assess the potential for restoration of riparian areas and wetlands on City-owned property. The Draft Inventory Report is currently under review by the Department of State Lands and is subject to change based on their comments.

The Proposals, posted below, for Wetlands and Riparian Areas, contain the criteria for significance determination and proposed protection measures. These are now available for public comment. In terms of protections, see below for "City of Florence Existing Policies and Code For Wetlands and Riparian Areas, 4-30-12," a report on existing Florence policies and code and anticipated modifications.

The revised, updated Draft Inventory, below and in the map on this page,provides a comprehensive functional assessment. This is especially important in this watershed because the capacity of existing natural wetland systems, and potential future constructed wetlands, to store and slow the velocity of stormwater prior to discharge to area creeks and the estuary, is now established.

It isnot known whether the carrying capacity of the land is sufficient for the environment to fully address the anticipated impacts from planned urbanization. The functional assessment of the wetlands within this urban growth area will provide critical information to help guide future urbanization policy and stormwater management policy and capital programs.

Key Estuary Wetlands is a project for tidal wetlands that is being coordinated by the Siuslaw Watershed Council, in concert with the Siuslaw Estuary Partnership. The Watershed Council is working with their project partners and the Key Estuary Wetlands Team to protect/restore, through easement or acquisition, over 200 acres of wetland in the Siuslaw Estuary. The SWC, McKenzie River Trust, ODFW, and other partners are working with state, federal, and private funding sources to achieve protection and restoration of high priority tidally influenced wetlands. Two sites have been identified.

 

For information about the Siuslaw Watershed Council and Key Estuary Wetlands, contact:  Liz Vollmer-Buhl; Siuslaw Watershed Council Coordinator: 541-268-3044 or visit their web site at www.siuslaw.org