Back to the trailhead for paved path proposal

Last updated 11/3/2015 at Noon

The concept of a paved path connecting local communities is going back to the trailhead.

Sisters District Ranger Kristie Miller took the community conversation back several steps in a letter to Deschutes County Commissioner Alan Unger last week (see the full text with the online version of this story at www.nuggetnews.com). After gathering public input, Unger submitted a letter to Miller urging her to consider restarting the process to evaluate a paved trail from Sisters to Black Butte Ranch.

Miller informed Unger that she will not be taking on an environmental analysis for that path immediately.

"I understand that this might not be the first step you may have been hoping for," Miller said in her reply to Unger's letter.

Instead, Miller proposes to start a "preliminary review" of a paved trail - which essentially rolls the concept back to a starting point.

"Due to the multi-year community dispute over a paved path in Sisters Country, I want to be sure that I hear from the community exactly what options are on the table to consider and exactly why we should do it," Miller wrote. "My goal would be to have an inviting process where the public can attend an open workshop to provide their input on what type of location of trail(s) they desire, recommendations for future trail management actions, and to define who might be interested in participating in the process."

In an interview with The Nugget, Miller expressed appreciation for Unger's efforts in querying the community.

"I really think he's done a nice job showing strong community support, which is what we were looking for," Miller said.

Strong for what remains the question Miller hopes to answer through resetting the community discussion.

Unger provided Miller with copies of every letter, email and petition he received in his survey of the community. Opinions vary, from those who want to build the trail as proposed between Sisters and Black Butte Ranch; those who are interested in paved paths, but not necessarily in that configuration; those who do not want to see a trail terminus at Black Butte Ranch; and those who oppose any kind of paved path in the forest.

Miller said that she is willing to look again at the original configuration, but she wants to allow for other potential options as well.

"I just want to make sure it's the right thing for us - us being the community - at this time," she said.

"There's strong support for something in the community," Miller said. "And people are supportive of having trails that connect in the community."

So, the Forest Service will try to get a clear community consensus for what and where. And it's going to take some time.

Miller's course of action will push the funding cycle for a full environmental analysis back into 2017. If an EA can be funded, it would take about a year to complete. Then, the project itself would have to be funded. So there are many hurdles to cross, and the earliest trail construction could begin would be late 2018 or early 2019.

Unger indicated to The Nugget that he is satisfied with Miller's plan.

"I'm OK with this being a 2017 project and I'm looking forward to helping her (Miller) with some of the outreach that she wants to do," Unger said. "We have maybe a little bit more healing ... there's room for more discussion, so why not have that first?"

Miller says she will look for help from academia or a professional planner to ensure that she does not have any perceived undue influence on the project.

"My expectation is that this would be the first step towards an environmental analysis that will provide Sisters Country with a supported trail, or perhaps trail system, that most people can support," Miller wrote.

The reset will commence with a trails forum in the spring, hosted by Deschutes National Forest.

Unger told The Nugget, "I want to thank Kristi for a reconsideration of this trail and her interest in all trails. Bringing in a third party to facilitate a discussion on the purpose and need will help define and narrow the NEPA analysis to save money and time. I plan to support her process and help where I can."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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Text of Miller letter

Dear Commissioner Unger,

Thank you for your letter requesting that we start a new environmental assessment process for a paved path between the City of Sisters and Black Butte Ranch. The work that you completed over the past nine months or so demonstrates there is good community support for a connecting path or paths in the Sisters area. The supporting documentation you provided includes a considerable number of emails, letters, and signed petitions expressing interest in this type of proposal and show that, as you say, "The public is awake and paying attention".

I expected a request of this type to be coming this fiscal year (our Fiscal Year 2016 started October 1, 2015) so I have requested a line be included in our Program of Work to start an analysis. However, the recreation and trails budget is tight enough that it is unfunded at this time.

In the meantime I'm looking for opportunities with outside entities that would be interested and available to work with me to start a preliminary review process.

This is the part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that helps us determine our purpose, need and proposed action.

Due to the multi-year community dispute over a paved path in Sisters Country I want to be sure that I hear from the community exactly what options are on the table to consider and exactly why we should do it.

My goal would be to have an inviting process where the public can attend an open workshop to provide their input on what type and location of trail(s) they desire, recommendations for future trail management actions, and to define who might be interested in participating in the process.

My hope is to get support from academia (e.g., research student) or a professional planner to help me with this.

My reason for asking for help from an outside entity with this part of the process is to ensure I personally don't have unnecessary, unwanted, or perceived influence on the proposal.

My expectation is that this would be the first step towards an environmental analysis that will provide Sisters Country with a supported trail or perhaps trail system that most people can support.

In addition, the Deschutes National Forest will host/co-host a Trails Forum in the spring to identify, discuss, and take action on topics that will guide us toward providing sustainable, diverse, and quality trail experiences.

I understand that this might not be the first step you may have been hoping for. I won't be taking on an environmental analysis immediately. However, once we have completed the preliminary review process to determine the trail(s) purpose, need, and our options for a proposed action we can better compete for funding for NEPA funding in 2017.

Once the 2016 Trails Forum and/or entity to assist with the preliminary review process is in place I will be sure to let you know. I will also ensure that the community trails open workshop time and location is shared within the community of Sisters. I will do that via the Nugget Newspaper, notifications through homeowners associations, general flyers throughout the community, and emails/address received through your outreach process and our previous environmental assessment process.

I want to thank you again, Commissioner Unger, for all the work you completed in support of work on the Deschutes National Forest. I know this has been a challenging and challenged process for you to take on. I appreciate your willingness to take it on and see it through even though you didn't know for sure where you would land with regards to support. I will be in touch.

Kristie L. Miller

District Ranger