The Rogue Valley, Jackson County, southern Oregon, is experiencing growing pains all too common in the western United States. The valley’s population has increased by 40% in the last 20 years, and is expected to grow by another 30% by 2030 (OEA 2004; Jackson County 2007; U.S. Census Bureau 2012). Space is limited by surrounding mountains, so urban growth occurs at the expense of fertile agricultural lands, salmon stream floodplains, wetlands, and oak woodlands. Transportation projects have struggled to keep up with the uncoordinated and haphazard development projects. Special habitats (e.g., wetlands) and species of concern have added regulatory layers. A lack of easily accessible environmental information makes it more difficult for transportation planning agencies to plan appropriate projects or future transportation direction. The project goal was to improve the environmental and ecological data informing transportation planning in the Rogue Valley, Jackson County, Oregon. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting