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Metro refers greenspaces bond measure to voters

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On March 9 the Metro Council referred to the region’s voters, for final consideration at the November 7 election, a $227.4 million bond measure proposal for the purposes of purchasing natural areas and protecting water quality and wildlife habitat.

The bond measure package is designed to preserve natural areas and protect rivers, streams and creeks at the regional, local and neighborhood levels:

· $168.4 million would be used by Metro to purchase between 3,500 and 4,500 acres of land in identified target areas that would provide regional benefits in preserving wildlife habitat, protecting water quality, enhancing trails and greenways, and connecting urban areas with nature;
· $44 million would be distributed to cities, counties and park districts within Metro’s jurisdiction to fund identified local projects that are consistent with protection of natural areas and water quality, such as land acquisition for habitat protection or future parks, and
· $15 million would fund a new Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants Program whereby non-profit organizations, local governments, and other community-based organizations could apply for matched funding (with $2 of outside funds or in-kind contributions matching $1 of Metro funds) to support community-level projects. Projects could include the acquisition of neighborhood natural areas, development of community gardens, habitat restoration efforts, interpretive displays, and development of trails, among others.

CLF supports Metro's proposal, and Metro made the following modifications to their proposal based on our recommendations:

-Increased the amount of funds that would be available for the Capital Grants Program by $3 Million.

-Included in the selection criteria for the Capital Grants Program those projects that "re-nature" or "re-green" urban neighborhoods and increase access to nature. Bonus points in the evaluation criteria will be given to projects in low-income neighborhoods.

Now it's time to build support among Metro-area voters for protecting our region's precious natural areas and greening under-natured urban neighborhoods.