Contacts: John Petsch, Lane County Public Works, 682-6999; Eric Jones, City of Eugene Public Works, 682-5523; Niel Laudati, City of Springfield Community Relations, 726-3780

LANE COUNTY

Lane County’s leaf pickup program will begin on Monday, Nov. 2. Lane County Public Works provides free leaf collection on Lane County-maintained roads with storm drainage systems in River Road-Santa Clara and Springfield areas. The program will make two complete trips through each area. Maps with more detail are located online at www.lanecounty.org/PW/Leaf.htm

County crews will start on the north side of Maxwell Road between River Road and Northwest Expressway working north to Beacon Drive West. They will move to the east side of River Road, starting at Beacon Drive East the County will proceed south to Division Avenue.

Public Works will tentatively begin leaf pickup in the Springfield area the week of November 16. County crews will begin in the Game Farm Road area, proceed to the Hayden Bridge Road area, continue to Jasper Road/42nd Street, move west to the Centennial Boulevard/Aspen Road and conclude in the South Second Street/Habor Street area. 

Residents may call the County Leaf Pickup Program Hotline at 682-8565 or check the Internet at www.lanecounty.org/pw for a schedule of pick-ups.

EUGENE

Eugene’s 2009 fall leaf program begins November 2. This annual service has been available to Eugene residents since the late 1960s, offering leaf pickup and leaf delivery services.

Here’s the 2009 schedule for the first round of collections in Eugene:

Nov. 2 to Nov. 11 – Central and West Eugene

Nov. 9 to Nov. 30 – North Eugene

Nov. 30 to Dec. 18 – Southeast Eugene
Dec. 14 to Dec. 24 – Southwest Eugene

Eugene Public Works has developed a new web site to help residents rake, reuse and recycle their leaves. Go to www.eugene-or.gov/leaf to report leaf problems in bike lanes, view the latest collection schedule updates, track where sweepers have been, or order home delivery of leaves. Information is also available on the leaf hotline at 541-682-5383 or by calling Public Works Maintenance at 541-682-4800.

SPRINGFIELD
In partnership with Sanipac, the City of Springfield is providing residents with two opportunities to set their bagged leaves at curbside for pick-up.

Residents must have their bags at curbside prior to the first day of their route pick-up. Also, leaf bag pick-up may or may not correspond with their garbage day pick-up as the programs are not connected. The bag pick-up schedule is as follows:

                             West of 28th Street                 East of 28th Street

First Round              November 30                    December 9

Second Round           January 4                         January 11

• Place the bags at the curbside, not in the street, the Monday of the week your neighborhood is scheduled for pickup.
• Place leaves in medium sized garbage bags (be sure the bags contain ONLY leaves).

For more information on leaf pickup in Springfield, please call 726-3637.

Leaf Preparation Guidelines

Leaf programs primarily are intended to help prevent street flooding, protect water quality in local streams and keep streets safe for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians.

Removing leaves from catch basin grates and gutters allows storm water to run off and prevents flooding of streets and private property. Decaying leaves that pass through storm drains and pollute waterways by absorbing oxygen needed by fish, plants and other aquatic life.

Unless an immediate hazard exists, crews follow schedules that ensure systematic coverage. Here are some guidelines for properly disposing of leaves:

• Leaves must be in the roadway, but piled away from parked cars, storm drains and gutters, bike and traffic lanes, and curbs. Leaves piled in the street improperly or prematurely can plug storm drains, pollute local waterways, and create hazards for bicyclists and motorists. Individuals, who deposit leaves in a bike or traffic lane, are ultimately responsible for the hazard created.
• Crews cannot pick up leaves in private yards.
• Keep leaves free from other debris such as branches, rocks, metal, and lawn clippings.
• Don’t bag leaves if you live in Eugene or metropolitan Lane County. Leaves must be bagged for collection in Springfield.
• Prepare leaves less than a week before the schedule. Leaves piled longer than a week may get scattered and plug storm sewer systems.

The best thing to do with leaves is to recycle or reuse them:

·        Use leaves around the yard as mulch and compost. For tips on composting leaves, go to www.eugenerecycles.org (click on the “composting” link)

·        Take your leaves to a commercial recycler (Rexius or Lane Forest Products).

·        If you have yard debris container service, use it for leaves; your solid waste hauler recycles all yard debris.

            If you choose to place your leaves in the street, please follow these guidelines:

·        Don’t put leaves in bicycle lanes or on sidewalks.

·        Wait until the weekend before pickup in your neighborhood.

·        Pile leaves at least 15 feet away from parked vehicles.

·        Keep leaf piles free of sticks, pine needles, and other yard debris (place organic non-leaf materials in your yard debris container).

Amber Fossen

Public Information Officer

Lane County Government

125 E. Eighth Ave.

Eugene, Oregon 97401

(541) 682.3718

(541) 359.9143 (cell)