Oregonians never see a Bob Cat in their life time! I feel proud that these elusive <br />animals feel secure enough to stay. There is at least one spring I hear that flows all <br />year round. <br />I would like to ask every person on The City Planning Commission, all The City <br />Commissioners, The Mayor and the out of state developers, (why is this <br />happening?) to take an afternoon walk through this wild wooded area. I hope that <br />they will understand the importance of this proposal. <br />What will happen to the wild life if this area is broken up? The balance of nature <br />will be effected. The deer and plethora of raccoon and opossum will over populate. <br />Their natural predators will be forced to leave. Doesn't it make sense that people <br />will report seeing a cougar in their back yard and deer eating their gardens? When <br />habitat shrinks animals become pests to get rid of. Who was here first? <br />Finally there is the very real danger of over burdening fire fighting recourses. Read <br />the USDA Fire Fighting Resources. Saving homes has become as important, or <br />more important than saving forest these days. "This fire is not contained, but so far <br />no structures have been damaged." You hear it on the news almost every night <br />during fire season. Every summer this problem grows and grows as the wild fires <br />increase, the climate dries, and summers start sooner and end later. People, <br />(usually with high incomes who can afford building or buying a home in the <br />woods) want to build away from the city and look out their windows at the <br />beautiful wooded landscape. There is some illogical thinking going on here. Even <br />though many in Eugene no nothing of this proposal. After I explain it to them, they <br />are outraged! I have not met a person who doesn't feel strongly that their voices <br />must be heard. Something must change. Planners and developers must listen. Many <br />in Eugene and surrounding areas are working very hard to convince the City <br />Planners and Developers, that YES we can make changes ! Why do we find it so <br />easy to hear plans of developing new buildings, new shopping areas, and more <br />expensive student housing? Why don't we hear about the environment that <br />surrounds us? The areas we all can enjoy? How about sustainability? Has any of <br />our cities Planning Division communicated with Portland's Urban Sustainability <br />Commissioners? Nick Fish, Amanda Fritz, Steve Novick, and Dan Saltzman? Why <br />are the majority of these Developers from out of state? It's our city. It takes many <br />voices to move a mountain of bureaucrats. We will be heard. <br />Thank You <br />Susan R. Ferris <br />