Forest Service to review resort plan

A major redevelopment of the resort at Suttle Lake will be reevaluated by the U.S. Forest Service. Public response to the plan was negative, according to agency representatives.

The developer plans to meet with the Forest Service on June 18 to discuss ways to modify the plan or "come back with a new direction," according to Larry Solie, one of the partners and director of operations at Suttle Lake Resort.

The proposal that drew fire called for replacing campsites with cabins, construction of a 10,000 square foot lodge and restaurant and erection of an access bridge over Lake Creek.

The popular free campground at Cinder Beach managed by the Forest Service would have become a fee-required facility managed by the Suttle Lake concessionaire.

"We got back 32 letters from various folks. The biggest concerns were about the scale of the development. There was a lot more building (proposed) than indicated in the scoping letter we sent out two years ago," said Forest Service Environmental Coordinator Rod Bonacker.

Opponents were concerned about the loss of campsites to cabins, the size of the lodge and restaurant, and the transition of Cinder Beach to a fee facility.

The public also voiced concern about water quality from drain fields, and possible adverse impacts on Lake Creek and the Metolius from construction of the bridge built to access the area, according to Bonacker.

An Oregon Department of Transportation requirement was that the access point to the resort be moved from the Santiam Highway to the road that currently runs along the south side of Suttle Lake.

Suttle Lake's Larry Solie indicated that much of the opposition was based on misunderstanding.

"None of the special interest groups (who opposed the proposal) ever came out to talk with us," Solie said.

Solie said that the operators of Suttle Lake Resort were the ones who opened the restrooms and cleaned up Cinder Beach this year. The Forest Service wasn't going to open the restrooms, Solie said.

"We weren't going to charge high fees, but would like some remuneration to do the Forest Service's job," Solie said.

Solie also said that those who express concern for the future of Cinder Beach and oppose the development "should put their rake where their mouth is" and help clean up the site. Suttle Lake Resort has covered all the costs so far, he indicated, including cleaning up after Forest Service logging in the park.

Within the Forest Service, questions were raised about whether the large scale proposal fit well with plans for the Suttle Lake area, according to Rod Bonacker.

"People do want a store and boat rental, and maybe RV spots and cabins," said Bonacker. But there was question as to how much development would be appropriate for the small peninsula on the east end of Suttle lake.

"District Ranger Bill Anthony has decided we are going back to the drawing board and focus on what we think is appropriate out there," Bonacker said.

Solie said that he and Suttle Lake Resort partners Jim Schmit and Rich Mathis hoped to "find a happy medium everybody can live with." He said that after the lodge burned down, the site was in serious disrepair.

Without adequate income from a redevelopment, the Suttle lake Resort could again fall "into rack and ruin, and no one would enjoy it," Solie said.

Solie also said that the partnership had an investment they were not going to walk away from: "We are flexible, but we are determinedwe want to be able to work with everyone, but we will not be scared by anyone."