Metolius River plan due

In 1988 the Metolius River was designated as one of America's wild and scenic rivers. A draft plan to guide use of the river is now at the printer and should be available by the middle of November.

According to Tori Roberts, Information assistant with the U.S. Forest Service in Sisters, the draft Environmental Impact Statement contains alternatives for management, including the preferred alternative. The draft EIS also serves as the preliminary document for the Oregon State Scenic Waterway Rules, which apply to private land, Roberts said.

Roberts said the preferred alternative would allow for limited seasonal boating on the lower river from Bridge 99 to the Monty Campground just above Lake Billy Chinook. The boating season would run from Memorial Day through September, the same dates the Monty Campground would be open.

The preferred alternative also proposes some significant road closures in the lower river area, from Candle Creek to Monty.

"There will still be dispersed camping, but only at designated sites," said Roberts. "Where roads still exist, there will be motorized (access to) camping." Where roads have been closed, the camping will be open only to nonmotorized access.

In the area of the upper river, the Forest Service proposes to close a section of Road 700 that runs from Camp Sherman to the Tract "C" bridge. The road runs within feet of the river at this point and closure is recommended to prevent erosion and siltation of the Metolius.

"There are about three roads that run parallel there. The Tract "C" Bridge will connect to the 800 road," Roberts said.

The sections of closed road will still be open for nonmotorized use as a walking and biking trail.

Roberts said that in the upper river, the Forest Service approach is to manage that area "much as it is being managed now," in terms of the amount of use, but hopes to reduce impact on the river by better defining and "hardening" the trails and limiting the "area of influence " of certain campsites.

The proposed changes are primarily designed to protect riparian values, she said, and the extremely high water quality the Metolius is famous for.

The draft EIS will be available from the Forest Service in the middle of November. Call Tori Roberts at 549-2111 for more Information.