by EWEB’s Water Storage Project team

On Wednesday, Aug. 18, the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) lifted the temporary stay, clearing the way for work to continue on the water storage project.

Site preparation activities will resume on Thursday, Aug. 19 including prepping and felling the remaining trees within the construction footprint, stump removal, and ­­other work to prepare the site for excavation.

Reminders regarding general construction impacts

Workers, trucks, and equipment will generally begin arriving on-site around 7 a.m.

We will only do work during hours that the City of Eugene noise ordinance allows and we will communicate work hours as the work progresses.

Truck noise such as beeping is not easily mitigated as that is an OSHA-required safety feature and needs to be loud enough for someone to hear while wearing hearing protection. When possible, trucks will be routed around the site to avoid the need to back up.

While we can’t anticipate or mitigate all impacts, we will be responsive to your questions, suggestions, or concerns. Please reach out to us directly so that we can quickly address any issues that arise by email at water.storage@eweb.org or by phone at 541-685-7899.

Reminders regarding precautions related to fire risk

While there are no tree removal restrictions within the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary per City fire code, EWEB will adhere to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) restrictions and is taking other proactive risk mitigation measures. The contractors will adhere to the Industrial Fire Precautions (IFPL) work schedule, continuously monitor conditions throughout the day, and adjust work and mitigation strategies accordingly.

Additionally:

A new hydrant was installed at the west entrance of the property. This gives the contractor a path to install a fire hose across the site to have water available throughout construction.

The contractor will have two water trucks onsite, one dedicated for fire mitigation and one for dust mitigation.

The contractor is removing the vegetation around the work zone down to the bare ground and installing rock up to the tree line. This reduces fire risk and helps with dust mitigation.

A minimum 3-hour fire watch will be provided by the contractor after work stops for the day.

EWEB has been communicating with the Eugene Fire Department regarding schedule and mitigation plans. They are aware of the work and the work schedule and will be ready to respond if an issue should arise, as well as to consult with us if a red flag warning goes into effect in the area.

As construction begins on two new water storage tanks near E. 40th and Patterson St., we are taking extra precautions related to fire risk.

While there are no tree removal restrictions within the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary per City fire code, EWEB will adhere to the Oregon Department of Forestry Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) restrictions and is taking other proactive risk mitigation measures.

The contractors will strictly adhere to the IFPL work schedule (no fire-risk activity after 1 p.m.), continuously monitor conditions throughout the day, and adjust work and mitigation strategies accordingly.

Additionally:

• A new hydrant was installed at the west entrance of the property. This gives the contractor a path to install a fire hose across the site to have water available throughout construction.
• The contractor will have two water trucks onsite, one dedicated for fire mitigation and one for dust mitigation.
• The contractor is removing the vegetation around the work zone down to the bare ground and installing rock up to the tree line. This reduces fire risk and helps with dust mitigation.
• A minimum 3-hour fire watch will be provided by the contractor after work stops for the day. Additionally, EWEB will have 24/7 security at the site who will be able to call 911 and EWEB’s security lead if they see anything concerning after fire-watch.
• EWEB has been communicating with the Eugene Fire Department regarding schedule and mitigation plans. They are aware of the work and the work schedule and will be ready to respond if an issue should arise, as well as to consult with us if a red flag warning goes into effect in the area.

Reminders regarding other E. 40th construction impacts

Workers, trucks, and equipment will generally begin arriving on-site around 7 a.m. Construction noise from chain saws and other tree removal equipment will be mostly limited to the hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. per the IFPL work restrictions during this phase of work.

Truck noise such as beeping is not easily mitigated as that is an OSHA-required safety feature and needs to be loud enough for someone to hear while wearing hearing protection. When possible, trucks will be routed around the site to avoid the need to back up.

Hauling will be being done in phases rather than continuously throughout the work. Hauling times will be limited to the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The logs will be hauled offsite via Patterson St, to E. 40th and then down Hilyard St.

During hauling, EWEB is prohibiting on street parking to allow for two-way traffic and allow access by neighbors. Safety was reiterated during the preconstruction meeting with the contractor, and an additional meeting will take place with the truck drivers the first day they are on-site to discuss safety and caution, particularly near Tugman Park.

Safety is priority #1. While we can’t anticipate or mitigate all impacts, we will be responsive to your questions or concerns. Please reach out to us directly so that we can quickly address any issues that arise by email at water.storage@eweb.org or by phone at 541-685-7899.

Youth crew assists with invasive weed removal

In late July, Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council’s Youth Conservation Crew performed invasive weed removal work at the E. 40th water storage site. Blackberry and other invasive weeds are common ladder fuels for wildfire and hamper forest health.

The property, which EWEB purchased in the 1950s specifically for future water storage, is more than 10 acres and only around 2.5 acres will be used for the tanks. The rest of the property will remain in its current natural state or enhanced.

Our goal is to improve the safety, reliability, and resiliency of our community’s drinking water while designing a space that fits the neighborhood and aligns with broader community needs.

Contact us with questions

If you have questions or input, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the project team at 541-685-7899 or water.storage@eweb.org. Emails sent to this address will reach:

Laura Farthing, Project Manager/Senior Civil Engineer
Jen Connors, Communications Supervisor
Jeannine Parisi, Customer Relationship Manager
Wally McCullough, Water Engineering Supervisor

East 40th Water Storage Project Update:

This week, Northwest Youth Corps will be at the East 40th site doing invasive weed removal. Blackberry and other invasive weeds are common ladder fuels for wildfire and hamper forest health. Expect to see Northwest Youth Corps on-site July 28-29.

Fencing is in progress around the construction zone on the northeast side of the property. The west and south sides of the property will remain open to the public during most phases of construction. The fencing will remain in place throughout construction (2.5 – 3 years).

During the last week of July, equipment will arrive at the site. Once the equipment arrives, a 24×7 security contractor will be onsite (in a truck parked near the Patterson St. entrance). The security is there to keep equipment safe and is a temporary measure until we have a more frequent presence at the site.

Tree removal will begin in early August. The process to take down, chip and haul wood will take approximately 3-4 weeks. During that time, there will be chainsaw noise, chipper noise, and truck traffic. Work will not begin before 8 a.m. and will be complete by 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Approximately 75% of the trees on the site will be left standing. Only the trees in the footprint of the tanks are being removed.

We are keeping all of the downed wood in the community. When possible, we will create snags and leave downed trees on the site for birds and other wildlife to use for nests, nurseries, storage areas, and perching. Other downed trees are being donated to a City of Eugene wetlands restoration project, where they will continue to provide habitat long into the future, and for public use projects in the Southeast Neighborhood and also the City of Springfield.

New information: The tree removal contractor has determined that log trucks will use Hilyard Street to travel to and from the site. Removal of downed trees will take approximately two weeks.

Earthwork will begin mid-September and will last 6-8 months.
This will be a disruptive period of noise and truck traffic.

We will host another neighbor meeting in late summer (date TBD) to discuss construction details and mitigation, including:

• Work hours and workdays
• Noisy work time
• Construction schedule
• Construction mitigation
• Dust
• Noise
• Contractor staging and parking
• Traffic control on Patterson
• Controlled drilling and blasting process and safety procedures
• What to do if there are issues

• Laura Farthing, Project Manager/Senior Civil Engineer
• Jen Connors, Communications Supervisor
• Jeannine Parisi, Customer Relationship Manager
• Wally McCullough, Water Engineering Supervisor

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Make your appointment today and say “Neighborhood Leadership Council” or the code “NLC” when you arrive for your donation.

Make a donation appointment today for our Donor Center at 2211 Willamette, or look for these pop-up locations in July:

• July 8-10: Pop-Up @ Grace Community Fellowship
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On the day of your donation, let the registrar know that you are donating on behalf of Neighborhood Leadership Council by providing this code: NLC .

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Bloodworks has implemented increased safety and social distancing measures in compliance with all local and state recommendations to ensure that the critical act of donation experience is as safe and pleasant as possible. All donors are required to wear masks or face coverings at their donation appointment. Please bring your own mask or face covering.

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