Albany has filed for a grant with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to acquire undeveloped land south of East Thornton Lake as a natural area. Two of the six council members voted no, but it is a worthwhile project nevertheless.

They voted no because they didn't want city money spent this way. But the city is not spending cash, and whatever time the city staff spent helping with the application was time well spent, because it advances the public interest.

The property, some 24 acres, has been approved for a densely packed residential subdivision of 78 units. Because of the geography, being hemmed in by the lake on the north and the Toledo Branch railroad line on the south, and unable to gain regular access on the east because the neighborhood there is built up, the site presents a challenge from the standpoint of getting in and out.

With the present economy, it doesn't seem likely that the approved subdivision would develop to its full extent anytime soon. Still, it would add to traffic on North Albany Road, which during some parts of the day is already filled with moving cars. So any alternative to the subdivision would be a plus from the standpoint of forestalling further congestion.

More important, though, is that the vacant land forms the southern bank of East Thornton Lake, a swampy habitat for all kinds of wildlife.

Just the other day, a diver confirmed the presence of a relatively rare fresh-water mussel in West Thornton Lake, and it is safe to surmise that if these creatures live west of the road bridge crossing the oxbow lake, they live east of it too.

The developer, who had to fight strong neighborhood opposition to get the subdivision approved by a split city council, has said he's willing to sell the land for the right price, though he hasn't publicly said what that is.

In any case, the city's application for OWEB funding asks for $2.4 million.

To preserve a bit of nature in the middle of Albany, to assure the continued existence of wildlife habitat for species that in Oregon may soon be endangered, to provide a place where researchers in wildlife ecology and related fields can work, even where school children can learn more about the natural environment of their home town, not to mention slowing the inevitable pollution that more development would bring to the lake - for all that, it was fitting for the city to make this request for an OWEB grant, and it would be fitting for the state agency to give it its OK. (hh)