Take Action for Bear Creek!
Two years ago this month, the Bear Creek Greenway was devastated by a wildfire that drastically impacted the vegetation, wildlife, and landscape of the surrounding area. To incorporate the considerations of the public the Envision Bear Creek Project is accepting public input until September 25th. Rogue Riverkeeper is asking our supporters to participate in this survey by suggesting some of the following recommendations that will promote responsible management of the Bear Creek corridor.
Rogue Riverkeeper encourages you to use the survey’s comments options to include the following recommendations for management of the Bear Creek Greenway to ensure native species, aquatic and riparian habitats receive adequate stewardship while continuing to ensure public safety and wildfire fuels reduction.
Retain and promote native vegetation when controlling noxious weeds.
Preserving non-hazardous burned trees and downed wood to retain soil moisture, habitat complexity and stream-side shade for wildlife and salmon.
Maintaining and enforcing riparian setbacks must be required for all property owners to project fish and wildlife.
Fuel reduction work should be done carefully, preserving native trees and shrubs, and avoiding the introduction of new noxious weeds. Any restoration or development work should be conducted outside of bird-breeding season while mowing with large machinery should be restricted to areas outside the riparian setback.
Maintain and protect a functioning floodplain by not building in, altering, or eliminating the areas where flood waters can safely occupy and the Bear Creek channel can move. A functioning floodplain protects human development as well as habitat.
Protect the many smaller water resources including springs, wetlands, and streams that enter or border Bear Creek along the Greenway and contribute cold clean water. The protection of these small water sources helps maintain a healthy riparian and aquatic habitat.
We recommend "dark sky certified" downward-directed lighting be used wherever lighting is installed along the Greenway for the benefit of wildlife and pollinating insects.
The Bear Creek Greenway is a wonderful natural space that our municipalities are lucky to have traversing through the Rogue Valley. The Greenway is used and treasured by valley residents for many different reasons and we appreciate engaging in this public engagement opportunity.
Submit your comments before September 25th clicking “Survey” on the Envision Bear Creek website or click the links above! There are both Spanish and English versions available.