Salmon recovery and Seavy Meadows

The Willamette Chinook Salmon and Steelhead have been listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The National Marine Fisheries Service published the rules for protecting these species under section 4(d) of the ESA (the "4(d) rules"). If cities take appropriate planning steps then they cannot be sued under the ESA.

Matthew Nahan, writing in "E-Line" (Spring 2001), the publication of the Corvallis Environmental Center, recommended several planning steps and actions, for compliance with the 4(d) rules. Particularly relevant to Seavy Meadows are:

• Invoke a moratorium upon development within streams and floodways.
• Acquire and restore critical riparian habitat.
• Reduce effective impervious surfaces to less than 10% of any drainage. (The Sequoia Creek drainage is rapidly being paved.)

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