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Wetlands review tops grant list State gives Medford priority for projects in city�s assessment By Jessica Smith A review of some 90 wetlands in Medford tops a list of 13 projects identified in a $250,000 grant program from the Oregon Division of State Lands. Dana Field, wetland program coordinator for the division, said Medford was given highest priority because of previous work the city has done to assess its wetlands. "There�s a great return for a little investment (in Medford)" said Field, grant program administrator. Though Medford will be the first city to receive funds under the grant, it�s unclear just how much money Medford will be awarded. Field is awaiting bids from contractors before announcing individual grant amounts in February. "I�m going to start at the top of the list and spread the money as far as it will go," she said. A total of 13 cities applied for grants from the $250,000 pot, including the city of Ashland, which is ranked eighth on the state�s priority list. Field said Ashland had fewer conflicts between wetland spaces and proposed development, unlike Medford. Medford identified 92 possible wetlands in an inventory required as part of the state�s wetland protection program, and found 28 that are considered "locally significant." The state grant is expected to help the city complete assessments of the inventoried properties by November 2001. Meanwhile, members of the Medford Planning Commission say they want to put wetland protection measures on the books. The city has been working since August 1999 to finalize its wetlands ordinance, which was drafted to enforce a 50-foot building setback, or buffer zone, and restricts grading, excavation, placement of fill and removal of vegetation. Critics have called the city�s draft ordinance a one-size-fits-all rule that infringes on property rights. The City Council three times last year delayed a vote on the ordinance in response to such objections. And late last year, city officials learned that buffers are not allowed under the state�s "safe harbor" guidelines, which require landowners to leave "locally significant" wetlands as they are found. Though several planning commissioners at a study session Monday voiced support for the 50-foot setback, they agreed the city should try to determine which wetlands would most benefit from buffers. "I�m really not comfortable giving up that 50-foot setback," said Commissioner Norm Nelson. "We need to do what we think is right." If the city wants to require building setbacks on larger wetlands, it would need to complete detailed environmental studies to prove buffers are necessary protection measures, according to Suzanne Myers, assistant city planner. Such studies would go beyond inventory assessments by weighing wetland protection against impacts to the economy, among other things. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.