Roads, campgrounds to close in Camp Sherman

A couple of roads and campgrounds will be closed in the Camp Sherman area, and homeowners will be required to maintain modern septic systems, according to a document signed by Sally Collins, the Deschutes National Forest Supervisor.

On May 27, Collins signed a Record of Decision for the Metolius River Wild and Scenic River. The decision tells the Sisters Ranger District how to manage the area, by setting resource goals designed to protect the river's natural qualities.

"I think we (also) expect that change will continue at a much slower pace than in the rest of our world -- that is the attraction of the Metolius," said Collins in a press release.

Over 20 miles of roads will be closed, including the upper portion of road 1419-700, the cinder road from the Camp Sherman Store to the Tract C bridge, which will be obliterated.

The Tract C bridge will be joined to road 1419-800, which parallels 1419-700 to the east. The road will be closed and a gate installed somewhere above the bridge farthest downstream.

The Sisters Ranger District will work with affected land owners to choose an appropriate location for the gate.

By closing the road to motorized vehicles and returning it close to its natural state, the agency hopes to improve water quality on that section of the river. The original river trail will be rerouted in most places, particularly where erosion has forced sediment into the river. The obliterated road will be used as a bicycle and pedestrian trail.

Camp Sherman resident and Friend of the Metolius Kent Gill calls the closure "an exciting move." He said he has "long been concerned about the effects of erosion along the bank. The 700 road is overdue to be closed -- it is too close to the river."

This closure will result in about one-half mile less riverside driving, although riverside driving opportunities remain downriver.

Road 1499 below Bridge 99 will be closed to motorized vehicles, so there will be no public motorized access around the horn to Monty Campground. The road will be gated to accommodate private landowners' access needs; Friends of the Metolius is purchasing the gate.

Parking will be restricted to designated areas and pull-outs.

The Forest Service will continue to examine the possibility of converting road 1419-900 to a one-way travel loop, but, according to Rod Bonacker of the Sisters Ranger District, "we need to look at it with Jefferson County in the larger traffic planning context for the entire area."

Toni Foster of Friends of the Metolius agreed that there are logistical problems to be worked out before a conversion could take place.

The Forest Service responded to public concerns about overdevelopment and the negative effects campgrounds have on vegetation and water quality.

Although the agency is committed to maintaining the present capacity of Metolius River campgrounds, three to four campsites may be lost to allow resource protection and riparian restoration. If campground capacity is reduced by as much as 20 percent, the agency will create alternative overnight camping sites.

A few sites on the bank at Allen Springs will be exchanged for new sites. Five campsites at Smiling River will be eliminated and the south end of the campground near the Allingham Bridge will be used as a day use area.

The Forest Service received a barrage of public comment opposing closure of Pine Rest as a tent campground, and subsequently decided to leave the five tent sites.

Candle Creek, Lower Canyon Creek and Monty Campgrounds will be upgraded to fee campgrounds, which provide designated parking sites, picnic tables, garbage collection and fire grates. RVs will be excluded from Candle Creek.

Monty Campground will be closed September 30 to Memorial Day.

Each campground will have a vegetation management plan which aims to reduce development within 100 feet of the river.

Camp Sherman homeowners will have to bear a share of the burden of keeping the area clean and safe.

"Within the year the Forest Service will ask homeowners to provide an inspection and some evidence that they have a functional, legal septic system," said Bonacker. "Outhouses will have to be replaced by a sealed vault or a septic system."

Homeowners will also be required to perform yearly water quality tests.

These requirements were driven by the agency's concerns regarding groundwater quality and its impact on the river.

While Foster, with Friends of the Metolius, lauds these requirements, she cautions that they are "not a panacea.

"The public assumption is that if you require the upgrades, water quality will be fine, but hydro-geologic conditions are not conducive to septic in the first place," Foster said. "Because of the presence of high water tables and cold water, there is still a potential for pollutants to move into the Metolius."

According to Foster and Gill, Friends of the Metolius will work cooperatively with the Forest Service to monitor water quality at about a dozen points along the river.

The decision requires that remodeling or expansion of cabins must be done in a way that preserves the structure's historic character and protects the river. Cabins may not be expanded closer than 100 feet to the river.

"The Forest Service views recreational residents as the front line river stewards, and the people with the biggest stake in protecting the river," said Bonacker.