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Powell Butte Project
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RECOMMENDED PROJECTS
Once a vision for the future of Powell Butte Nature Park (the Desired Future Condition) was developed earlier this year, the Project Team and Advisory Committees began to translate that vision into specific on-the-ground projects. Eighteen project areas were identified – each with unique vegetation types and challenges. Those projects were then prioritized based on the following criteria:
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How near is the project area to homes or businesses?
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How high is the current fuel build-up?
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Are there “fuel ladders” (vegetation at ground level, such as clematis vines, that extends into the tree canopy)?
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How wind-prone is the site?
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How difficult is it to access the area for fire fighting?
The following materials explain the individual projects, show how they were ranked, and describe in detail the approaches that are recommended for carrying out the projects during 2007 and 2008. Additional follow-up projects will be identified in future years to continue moving the Powell Butte Nature Park landscape toward the Desired Future Condition, a vision that will take decades to fully realize.
Project List
Project Ranking
Project Location Map
To comment on the recommended projects:
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PROJECT BACKGROUND
The goal of this project is to develop and begin implementation of a long-term Desired Future Condition (DFC) for Powell Butte Nature Park that:
- Reduces wildfire hazard
- Reduces non-native plants
- Improves wildlife habitat
- Maintains scenic views
- Maintains grass over existing and proposed water facilities
- Is maintainable over time
The Consultant Team, Technical Advisory Committee, and Citizens Advisory Committee are considering four alternatives for the park’s long-term vegetative Desired Future Condition. To evaluate the alternatives, it is important to understand the ecology of Powell Butte and the intended goals of this project.
The Project Overview introduces the ecology of Powell Butte, identifies current conditions and key opportunities, discusses alternative vegetation communities and fire risk, and introduces the four alternatives. The Powell Butte Wildlife document describes the attributes of the various habitat types found on Powell Butte and the species supported by each. These are important considerations when weighing the four alternatives. The Vegetation Chart compares the balance of vegetation types (ex: grassland, mixed forest) existing today with the four alternative proposals for a long-term Desired Future Condition. Relative long-term and short-term costs of each alternative are described in the Project Costs document.
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