For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 541-685-7471
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Feb. 22, 2010

Site work for new boat landing begins Thursday

A Eugene Water & Electric Board contractor this week will begin initial site preparation work for a new boat landing between Highway 126 and the McKenzie River, just downstream from the Goodpasture Covered Bridge.

The first phase of the project involves the removal of trees prior to the start of bird nesting season. A U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services crew surveyed the heavily wooded, 3-acre parcel last Friday and determined there were no active nests present.

More than 100 trees within the footprint of the area planned for paving (road, parking and boat launch) will be removed, along with several potential hazard trees on the periphery, and a few trees near the highway entrance to improve traffic visibility. Most of the trees slated for removal are in the middle of the site, so once trees along the river leaf out, the visual impact to neighbors should be diminished. The work will begin Thursday and should be completed by Friday.

Trees will be left on site for the next few months, and may be used in restoration work at the site, or at other locations. Additional vegetation clearing will occur in late spring or early summer, with construction of the road, parking lots, boat ramp and restrooms planned for this summer.

The boat landing project has been in development since 2007, and is just one requirement mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission following the issuance of a new federal operating license for EWEB’s Leaburg and Walterville hydroelectric facilities.

EWEB commissioners considered five potential sites for the boat landing, and conducted several public hearings before choosing the Goodpasture location in 2008. EWEB purchased the 3-acre parcel for $559,900 In March 2009, commissioners approved the final design for the project. An environmental assessment commissioned by the FERC was completed in October 2009.

Get more information about the project and view the environmental assessment