Suttle Lake Resort expansion proposed

Visitors to Suttle Lake can expect big changes over the next five years.

The Suttle Lake Resort has proposed complete redevelopment of the Sisters Ranger District site which would replace the existing campground with 15 new cabins, adding an overnight lodge and an automobile bridge across Lake Creek.

The proposal would also provide four-season access to the resort, according to Sisters Ranger District Lands Forester, Jeff Sims.

"We have quite a few

summer campgrounds, but nothing that provides year-round recreation in that area," Sims said.

The potential for winter access also presents some traffic safety concerns for a dangerous highway intersection.

In response to concerns from the Oregon Department of Transportation and public comments on the original Suttle Lake Resort Master Plan, the existing entrance to the campground and marina from Highway 20 would be closed to all traffic.

The alternate Suttle Lake entrance, approximately one-half mile east of the current resort entrance, would become the resort's only access, with a bridge over Lake Creek taking visitors to the facility.

"The safety issue outweighs the riparian issues," commented Sims regarding the installation of the bridge over Suttle Lake's only outlet. "We will minimize the (streamside) impact with careful construction."

Impact on Lake Creek is only one of the issues addressed in the Environmental Analysis (EA) released by the Forest Service on April 15.

According to the EA, the new visitor facilities would require the installation of seven septic tanks, four treatment tanks and five drainfields, as well as a waste treatment facility for the lodge and boat house.

Resort managers report that the State Department of Environmental Quality approved the septic plan for the new facilities.

Regular water quality monitoring would be required to assure proper functioning of the system.

"Water quality is the biggest issue," said Sims. "(The resort) is on a peninsula and could have an impact on the riparian zone."

The Forest Service is recommending the most development-intensive of the three alternatives, with a modification for 100-foot setbacks for all structures from the creek and lakeshore.

Setbacks allow the project to comply with Northwest Forest Plan Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives, specifically addressing habitat protection for the bull trout, which occur downstream from the project and were historically found in Suttle Lake.

The EA also considers potential impacts to bald eagle and spotted owl habitat. Both species nest nearby, and the site would be monitored for any potential impacts on bird activity.

In addition to overnight facilities, the Cinder Beach day use area will receive some renovation.

The existing picnic shelter, bath house and public restrooms would be restored and a concession stand would be added to the bath house.

The development of new resort facilities may actually have a positive impact on some of the natural areas on the Suttle Lake peninsula.

Heavy use of the existing campgrounds has caused soil compaction across the site and vegetation along the waterways has suffered.

Riparian areas along Suttle Lake and Lake Creek would be revegetated with native plants, and degraded roads would be restored and converted to foot trails.

The Sisters Ranger District invites public comment on the Suttle Lake Master Plan and Environmental Analysis. The 30-day comment period ends at the close of business, Monday, May 18.

A copy of the EA can be obtained at the Sisters Ranger District office at Pine Street and Highway 20 in Sisters, or by calling Jeff Sims at 549-7706.

Written comments should be directed to District Ranger William Anthony, Sisters Ranger District, PO Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759.