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UNIVERSITY OF OREGON NORTH CAMPUS CONDITIONAL USE & WILLAMETTE GREENWAY PERMIT APPLICATION (d) To the maximum extent practicable, the proposed development shall provide for protection and enhancement of the natural vegetative fringe along the Willamette River. This means protection and enhancement of trees and understory characteristic of native vegetation within the riparian strip along the Willamette River. It also means removal, and active management to prevent reintroduction of, disturbance vegetation such as Himalayan blackberries and English ivy. As used herein, the riparian strip means the area between the top of the river bank and the waterÈs edge. By incorporating ecological and riparian restoration techniques along the riverbank, the proposed development shall provide for protection and enhancement of the natural vegetative fringe along the Willamette River. More explicitly, the prepared Riparian Assessment and Management Report by Mason, Bruce & Girard found that vegetated riparian areas within the development site were historically reduced to narrow strips along the river. In order to enhance the natural vegetative fringe, the Applicant seeks to incorporate as many applicable restoration techniques as possible as funding becomes available. Two techniques proposed in the report include large-scale invasive plant removal, and removal of concrete riprap along the shoreline. The Applicant has also established self-imposed regulations regarding setbacks on the site. For example, the required conservation area setback within the site is 100 feet. However, the Applicant proposes a riparian enhancement setback of 200-foot for buildings and recreational fields along most of the length of the property, as shown on Sheet L01 Regulatory Plan (Exhibit A). This setback requirement preserves the riparian fringe and maximizes riparian restoration opportunities to the greatest extent possible. (e) To the greatest possible degree, necessary and adequate public access will be provided to and along the river by appropriate legal means. As used in this section, the words Ågreatest possible degreeÆ are drawn from Statewide Planning Goal 15 (F.3.b.) and are intended to require a balancing of factors so that each of the identified Greenway criteria is protected to the greatest extent possible without precluding the requested use. Goal 15 (C.3.j.) provides that Ålands committed to urban uses within the Greenway shall be permitted to continue as urban uses.Æ This policy recognizes that development should occur in concert with continued public access to the river. It directs that, where possible, development plans should maintain and improve physical access by the public to the river and its edge to the greatest possible degree. Physical access includes pedestrian and bicycle access along the river, pedestrian access to the river bank, and access to the riverbanks for swimming, fishing, and launching small paddle craft. Protection of the conservation area along the river will be balanced with the need for public access to the river. Through extensive feedback through public involvement, the proposal seeks to enhance the publicÈs physical access to the river by improving the ecological quality of the site, public safety, ease of access of public facilities, and views, and by developing a cohesive bike path along the river. By including these aspects as key components of the proposal, this policy is sufficiently addressed. Cameron McCarthy INITIAL SUBMITTAL | February 21, 2018 77