Leaf Collection Programs Continue

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Leaf Collection Programs Continue

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

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veteran’s Day holiday - Lane County Public Works will not be picking up leaves.

River Road/Santa Clara

Beginning Monday, November 9, Lane County Public Works will continue its leaf pickup program in the River Road/Santa Clara area. Public Works will begin east of River Road starting at Wilkes Drive and working south to Division Avenue.

Springfield

Lane County Public Works crews will begin collecting leaves in the Springfield area the week of November 16. Public Works will begin in the Game Farm Road area, moving east to Hayden Bridge Road area, continuing southeast to the Jasper Road/42nd Street area, moving northwest to Centennial Boulevard/Aspen Road area and finally moving south to the South Second Street/Harbor Street area.

The free leaf pickup is provided as a service to urban residents of River Road/Santa Clara and Springfield by Lane County Public Works.

Maps with more detail are located online at www.lanecounty.org/PW.Leaf.htm

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 2009/2010 leaf collection calendar is in full swing. The city is divided into five geographical areas, allowing the leaf collection crews to move from one section to the next in an orderly fashion. Public Works leaf crews collect leaves in every Eugene neighborhood from November through January. Leaf vacs began work on October 26, focusing on priority bike lanes route.

Listed below is the 2009 schedule for the first round of collection 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

For more information visit the City of Eugene’s new and improved web site at www.eugene-or.gov/leaf. This web site features an interactive, map based form so residents can submit a bike lane request form, request leaf delivery, view the priority bike lane cleaning history, and view the leaf collection progress which outlines where leaf crews have been working.

Additional information is 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