HERITAGE seedlings & liners Unusual Deciduous Species January 5, 2016 Dear Committee to Save the Wiltsey Oaks, Upon reading the document approving Conditional Use Case No. 15-035 and visiting the proposed site at Wiltsey St. & Coates Dr. SE in Marion County, it strikes me as sad and unfortunate that they note the conditional use criteria in MCC 17.137.060(A), but say nothing about the anticipated impact on wildlife: The use will not have a significant adverse impact on watersheds, groundwater, fish and wildlife habitat, soil and slope stability, air and water quality. The habitat that will be lost in the removal of the 100-200 year old oak trees on this 12 acres will significantly and adversely impact numerous native song birds and other wildlife that rely on the scattered remnants of oak savanna and oak woodland habitat left in the hills southeast of Salem. HABITAT VALUE PAST AND PRESENT For the last 15 years, I have been actively restoring over 200 acres of oak and prairie on property in the Willamette Valley owned by Heritage Seedlings. It has been an amazing journey to see how our native wildlife had and had not adapted to a shrinking habitat. A mere 150 years ago, the Willamette Valley was a vast expanse of native grasslands with oak savanna (<25% canopy cover) and woodland (25-40% canopy cover) in the dryer hills. There is less than 5% of the historic extent of oak habitat left and much of it is threatened by conifer encroachment which crowds out the slower growing oak trees or by, as in this current proposal, development on the rural/urban fringe. The oak savanna eco-system, as found on the Wiltsey parcel, hosts numerous bird species that utilize the oaks for food, nesting and cover from predators. The open-grown savanna oaks are especially critical to cavity nesting birds such as Western bluebirds (Oregon Species of Concern), white-breasted nuthatches (SOC), black-capped chickadees, and house wrens (all species utilizing this parcel in summer, as well as other seasons). These larger crowned oaks also make copious amounts of acorns and lichen – critical sources of winter protein for Western gray squirrels (an ODFW Conservation Strategy species) and black-tailed deer. These older trees have mistletoe, as well, which attracts numerous seed eating species of birds. So, each oak on the 12 acres has the potential to support multiple species of wildlife – and they do! Of the 88 species documented on the Wiltsey bird list, 10 species are exclusive to oak habitat. All of these species are considered “focal species” by the American Bird Conservancy for priority oak habitat conservation in the Willamette Valley. In addition, the oaks’ proximity to open agricultural fields further expands the species that utilize the oaks. Western bluebirds, Western kingbirds, and American kestrel, forage for prey in open grasslands. The fragmentation of our remnant oak savanna patches makes each tree significant for these wildlife species. They are an oasis in a sea of closed canopy conifer forest that now dots much of the surrounding area. 4194 71st Avenue SE Salem, OR 97317-9208 USA www.heritageseedlings.com phone: (503) 585-9835 fax: (503) 371-9688 email: sales@heritageseedlings.com Page 1 of 2 HERITAGE seedlings & liners Unusual Deciduous Species LAND USE From a paper and policy standpoint, it is understandable that this part of the parcel was chosen for the Conditional Use permit since it is deemed unsuitable for cultivated crops. However, clearing this rocky, hilly land for a solar array seems short-sighted when more suitable, flat land that is already cleared can be found all over the Salem area. The long-term impact to the wildlife species will be great. The habitat cannot be “mitigated” due to the slow growth of oak trees. Benefits from mitigation would not be seen for over 100 years. In addition, although an erosion plan states it will not adversely affect the surrounding Mill Creek watershed drainage by eroding soil down slope, this seems unlikely due to the impact of grading and proposed site modifications. Sincerely, Lynda Boyer Restoration Biologist and Native Plant Manager Heritage Seedlings & Liners 4194 71st Avenue SE Salem, OR 97317-9208 USA www.heritageseedlings.com phone: (503) 585-9835 fax: (503) 371-9688 email: sales@heritageseedlings.com Page 2 of 2