Federal funds for forest road repair

Thirteen forest roads damaged by the February floods on the Sisters Ranger District are eligible for national funding following completion of a survey by federal officials.

"We are confident that most, if not all, of the damaged sites at Sisters will be funded for repair," said Chuck Brown, forest engineer with the Deschutes National Forest.

Once the snows melt, Brown said, he is certain additional damage will be discovered that needs attention.

Federal Highway Administration officials along with Forest Service engineers recently evaluated the flood damage on the Sisters District. The team looked at sites where Emergency Relief Federally Owned funds could be used for repairs.

Such funds are provided for emergency repair of federally owned roads and may only be used within the right-of-way. Each damaged site must be individually approved at the regional level and then assessed in Washington D.C. considering the available ERFO funding.

Most of the damage is located north of Highway 20. The hardest hit areas include roads and trails in the Metolius Basin, Perry South Campground and the northern portion of the Suttle Lake Trail. Major flooding occurred over roads 1490, 1499 and 1235/090.

There is a positive aspect to the flooding, Brown said. The national forest will receive funds to do the repair work and in some cases upgrade the roads and culverts to meet higher environmental standards for protection of resources.

"In some situations, larger culverts will be put in allowing safer passage of fish and less threat of sedimentation during future floods," Brown said.

Although final funding approval has not been received, the national forest is preparing a contract covering all the repair work. The contract is to be awarded in early July.

In the meantime, some of the roads have been temporarily repaired to provide access and others have been closed until repairs can be made.

Brown cautioned that roads can be easily damaged with the continued wet spring weather. Some roads are dangerous to travelers because of unstable conditions, he said.

"The simple act of driving in those conditions can cause thousands of dollars in damage," he said.

The Sisters District is urging people to stay on paved roads until gravel and dirt roads dry out and repairs are completed.

For current road information call the Sisters Ranger Station at 549-2111.