March 5, 2018 <br />Mr. Nick Gioello <br />Assistant Planner <br />City of Eugene Planning and Development <br />99 West 10th Ave. <br />Eugene, OR 97401 <br />This letter is regarding the application for the Capital Hill PUD (PDT 17-01). 1 ask that this letter be <br />entered into the official record to be considered by the City and Hearings Official, and would <br />appreciate confirmation that you have received it. <br />The trees on Capital Hill are part of a forest that absorbs rainfall and snow melt, slows storm runoff, <br />recharges aquifers, filters pollutants, provides critical habitat, acts as a windbreak, prevents <br />flooding, provides oxygen, helps our climate and reduces residential energy use. It provides <br />abundant recreational opportunities, helps support our local economy, and improves the quality of <br />our lives. <br />In order for these benefits to continue, this forest must be preserved and managed as a whole, not <br />clear cut, not fragmented. <br />The City of Eugene is having trouble meeting its goal of carbon neutrality. The most important <br />factor influencing the carbon cycle is deforestation. One mature tree absorbs carbon dioxide at a <br />rate of 48 pounds per year; one acre of forest as much as 8 metric tons. <br />The loss of these forests will only intensify the "heat island" effect of our urban community. <br />Research done by PSU in August of 2016 shows the forested area to which I am referring being as <br />much as 14 degrees cooler than the rest of the city. Cut trees down as part of the Capital Hill PUD, <br />and blue area goes away. Cut trees down as part of the Laurel Ridge PUD, and there goes more <br />blue area, and so on and so on. <br />One tree alone can take 11,000 gallons of water from the soil in a single growing season. <br />Removing forest canopy and replacing it with homes, driveways, and grass will result in increased <br />volumes of water traveling downhill faster, leading to more soil erosion, flooding, and the dumping of <br />more pollutants and sediment into our streams and rivers. We who live below Capital Hill already <br />experience year-long problems with run-off from the development that has already occurred. <br />With the drought, heat, smog, and forest fire smoke that already plague us, we cannot afford to lose <br />trees. Do not approve this Capital Hill development project or any like it. The health and future of <br />Eugene depends on it! <br />Sincerely, <br />Jim and Elizabeth Langston <br />1957 E. 28th Ave. <br />Eugene, OR 97403 <br />