Sisters land swap parcel to be re-appraised

An independent appraiser will review the value assigned to a 16.2 acre parcel of Forest Service land in Sisters, after citizens raised concerns over whether the public was getting fair market value for the property in a land exchange.

The parcel is part of a 70,000 acre land swap between the Forest Service and Crown Pacific in the Deschutes, Fremont and Winema National Forests.

The parcel being reviewed is part of the Sisters Ranger District compound on the west end of town. In the proposed exchange, Crown Pacific would acquire the small property and then sell it to the owners of the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, Jan and Bill Reed.

The Reeds plan to develop the property into additional motel units and a conference facility.

Fair market value is determined by the highest appropriate use of any given parcel of land. The 16.2 acres in Sisters is currently zoned as Urban Area Reserve, and was apparently appraised at this level. But in order for the Reeds to develop the property, it would have to be rezoned.

According to Bill Reed, the independent appraiser is "reviewing the appraisal with (its) potential rezoning to Highway Commercial," as would be appropriate for additional motel units.

"I am willing to pay whatever price the appraiser feels is fair," Reed said.

According to Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony, "(The Forest Service) specifically asked the appraiser to reevaluate how this property was valued. If the Forest Service and the American public did not get true value for their property, we will take care of it."

Anthony noted that if the 16.2 acres needs to be re-appraised, the whole exchange may have to be re-appraised at Crown Pacific's expense.

Anthony said he is aware of public concerns about the property's inclusion in the larger exchange.

According to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement released in November, the purpose of the proposed exchange between the Forest Service and Crown Pacific is to "consolidate land ownership and enhance future resource conservation and management."

"The concern has been raised as to whether the inclusion of this acreage is consistent with the purpose and need of the overall exchange to consolidate ownership and reduce boundaries (of public lands)," Anthony said.

"We have to ask if the exchange is in the best interest of the people served by the National Forest System, locally, regionally, and nationally," he said. "According to town leaders, (the parcel's inclusion) is in the best interest of the City of Sisters, but (others) may think the property is better used for recreation or other purposes of benefit to the community."

Earlier in 1997 the Sisters City Council unanimously supported the exchange and the Reed development. The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sisters Rotary Club also favored the exchange.

Anthony explained further that the value of the property must also consider its linkage to their current administrative site. One current proposal includes the location of a multi-agency fire suppression center, in conjunction with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Protection District and Oregon Department of Forestry.

"This may be better government for the people," Anthony said.

The land could be left alone for it's recreational value; used for a future highway bypass; or used by the Sisters Ranger District for residential housing and equipment storage.

But Reed believes his proposal enables the highest and best use of the land.

"There is no other way this property could better benefit the City of Sisters," Reed said. "One of the important elements we have in Sisters is our proximity to National Forest recreation. Conference attendees would have access to Sisters businesses and the National Forest for hiking and fishing."

Reed said that other benefits to the general public include increased property tax and transient room tax revenues which, "would help the city provide additional services to benefit the community and the visiting public."

According to Anthony, the inclusion of this 16.2 acres is not necessary to complete the 70,000 acre exchange. If it is dropped, however, Reed says he will continue to look for an acceptable piece of exchange property for a future swap, "as long as the level of community support is (still there)."

Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement are accepted until January 9.

"At the end of the comment period, we will carefully consider all comments and determine what is in the best interest of the public and the National Forest," Anthony said. "We will analyze and address all comments in the Final EIS and Record of Decision (which are expected) in February, 1998."

Copies of the Draft EIS can be acquired by calling the Deschutes National Forest at 383-5571. Written comments addressing the report should be sent by January 9 to the Deschutes National Forest, attn: Kathy Farrell, 1645 Highway 20 East, Bend, OR 97701.

Anyone with additional questions or those wishing to view the Sisters parcel may contact Sisters Ranger District Lands Forester Jeff Sims at 549-7706.