Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Central Point council approves pot tax ballot proposal ... Community gathers to mourn slain Seaside officer ... Work expected to begin by summer on Highway 62 bypass ... Central Point council approves pot tax ballot proposal ... Community gathers to mourn slain Seaside officer ... Work expected to begin by summer on Highway 62 bypass ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT Juvenile steelhead found as Phoenix urban renewal proceeds Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 10:51 AM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 2:07 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 10:51 AM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 2:07 PM » Social News PHOENIX — Juvenile steelhead have been discovered in a wetland area stream in Phoenix, and springs that feed the area have been uncovered as work proceeds on the city’s downtown urban renewal project. Project improvements are designed to ensure that clean water flows into the wetland and that riparian habitat will be restored to provide benefit to fish, birds and other wildlife. Phoenix Urban Renewal Agency, working with the city, has undertaken a $3.5 million town-center project to provide business and residential land, a plaza with a community hall, and a wetland park on 30 acres. “Until the past fall, the surrounding area was covered with blackberries. It was really hard for employees to get the wetland delineation,” said city Planning Director Matt Brinkley. The brush also prevented the spotting of fish. In 1952, the Oregon Department of Transportation constructed Bear Creek Drive though the area, creating the wetland. A culvert connected to Bear Creek was installed under the drive. Brinkley said there was no indication of maintenance on the culvert, and he thought fish passage might be blocked. Discovery of steelhead was not a surprise to biologists. “I expect to find fish when it comes to the valley bottom,” said ODFW fish biologist Dan Van Dyke. “We have seen it repeatedly unless they are blocked by barriers.” Last week, Ryan Battleson with ODFW’s Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program found 10 juvenile steelhead when he used an electric shocker to do a fish count at a stream on the site. One of the steelhead was 6.5 inches long and several others were 4 inches long. The stream is only a couple feet wide and about 9 inches deep. Steelhead would not spawn in the area because the bed is mud up to 2 feet deep rather than gravel. “There may be some ways to help fish through the culvert,” said Van Dyke, “some low-tech approaches to make sure the fish can get into downtown Phoenix.” PURA and the city also will aid the fish. The wetland won’t be disturbed, but invasive plants will be removed from adjacent land and replaced with plantings to aid wildlife such as birds, fish and pollinators, said Brinkley, adding that officials knew about the springs, but nobody had a chance to assess them in a meaningful way. The demolition of two buildings yielded a much better look at the springs. Urban renewal had to perform mitigation work on two of the streams to ensure the water continued to flow to the wetlands, said PURA Executive Director Jim Sharp. Two grants totaling $60,000 will pay for the installation of permeable pavers in a 13,000-square-foot parking lot located between Second and Third streets in the project area. Rogue Valley Sanitary Services provided $50,000, and Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District granted $10,000. A bioswale to treat stormwater runoff will be constructed right behind the parking lot. Paving of Second and Third streets leading to the parking lot was completed earlier this week. Sewer and water lines are in place, and sleeves were put underground for future electrical connections. Proposals for development of six lots in the project are due by Thursday, Feb. 18. The lots can be used for a variety of purposes, including mixed commercial and residential development. “People who have made inquiries so far want to build and hold,” said Sharp. Proposals may be made on individual or multiple lots. The public plaza and community hall will get more study by the agency, the Planning Commission and City Council before final designs are selected. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 12, 2016 at 10:51 AM Updated Feb 12, 2016 at 2:07 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501