Winterbrook played a primary role in this multi-year urban natural resource planning project.

Phase 1 – Project Scoping. Winterbrook staff participated in writing the scoping report to determine what natural features to inventory, the methodology, and preliminary criteria for ranking each of the natural features.  Winterbrook developed the Integrated Hillside Concept, an innovative approach to assessing resources that addressed multiple interrelated resources including wildlife habitat, significant vegetation, steep slopes, wildfire hazards, landslide areas, earthquake hazards, aquifer recharge areas, open space, and scenic vistas, viewpoints, gateways, and buffers. 

Corvallis Hills

Phase 2 – Conduct Inventory. Winterbrook led a team of professionals in preparing detailed methodologies, field inventories and inventory reports for stream corridors, wetlands, wildlife habitat, significant vegetation and tree groves within the Corvallis Urban Growth Boundary.  The inventory analyzed and mapped 7,921 acres as potential Goal 5 resource areas. 

Corvallis Trees

Phase 3 – Establish Priorities and Balance Needs. Winterbrook worked closely with Corvallis and Benton County to determine the “significance” of inventoried natural features.  Winterbrook developed an innovative analysis of the economic, social, environmental and energy consequences of alternative levels of protection for significant Goal 5 resources.  Winterbrook also prepared an incentives “white paper” that described regulatory and non-regulatory incentives to encourage private property owners to protect significant natural features.

Corvallis Hills

Phase 4 – Develop Implementation Program. Winterbrook advised City and County officials regarding a combination of incentives, education materials, and regulations to protect the significant natural features and reduce the risks associated with natural hazards.  Resource protection programs include clear and objective standards in the Land Development Code to provide more certainty to property owners and the broader community regarding where development can occur, and where it will be limited.

Corvallis Roads

Phase 5 – Conduct ESEE Analysis.  Winterbrook prepared a detailed Economic, Social, Environmental and Energy analysis of the consequences of alternative Goal 5 implementation programs – including the City’s proposed limited protection program.  The ESEE analysis served as the legal basis for Corvallis’ adopted Goal 5 program, and was well-received by the City, Benton County and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and was upheld on appeal by the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC). 

Farmland and Corvallis Hills