Suttle Lake plan up to the public

The proposed redevelopment of Suttle Lake Resort will likely change the way people enjoy this Sisters country retreat.

The U.S. Forest Service recently released the environmental analysis (EA) of the resort's master plan, offering three formal alternatives for the project. The choices range from leaving the resort as it is constructing a 10,000-square-foot lodge and a dozen 600-square-foot cabins.

Alternative A is the "no action" alternative required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony said this option is the least likely choice for the project.

"The Forest Service engages in the planning process if they've identified a need to fix something," explained Anthony. "It's probably rare to select the 'no action' alternative" for such a project.

"Quite possibly the best plan for Suttle Lake is some combination of the (action) alternatives," Anthony said.

Both action alternatives B and C include the closure of the current resort entrance off Highway 20 and the construction of a new auto-mobile bridge in place of the current footbridge over Lake Creek.

According to the Suttle Lake project team leader Jeff Sims of the Sisters Ranger District, the Forest Service, resort managers and the Oregon Department of Transportation support the proposed new entrance.

The existing entrance has poor highway visibility for vehicles entering and leaving the resort and there are no turn lanes off the highway.

According to Sims, these safety issues justify the environmental impacts of the bridge construction.

"The bridge and road go through the riparian area, but what little impacts they have can be mitigated," Sims said. "It becomes a trade-off between public safety and environmental effects."

The primary differences between alternatives B and C are the size and location of the proposed lodge and the number and type of cabins to be installed at the resort.

According to resort manager Larry Solie, Alternative B describes the resort's proposal, but he said "there isn't a lot of difference" between the two and "either one of these alternatives will work for us."

Alternative B includes a 10,000-square-foot, 12-room, lakeside lodge in the location of the historic Suttle Lake lodge that burned to the ground twice since 1939.

Sims said this alternative would require a planning variance with Jefferson County since the site lies within 100 feet of the water's edge.

Failure to meet the 100-foot "setback" also violates the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) of the Northwest Forest Plan.

Despite the planning hurdles that would be required for the larger lakeside lodge, Solie prefers this option because he believes it would provide more diverse use of the facility.

"We prefer B over C because the larger lodge allows us more flexibility as far as conferencing," Solie said. "You need to make every square foot work for you.

"Anyone who's in business today understands that the cost of labor has to be paid for somehow," he explained. "We've offered that mix that can be profitable."

Alternative B also includes 12 600-square-foot cabins which would accommodate four to six people each.

According to the EA, "Only ... Alternative C is consistent with the Northwest Forest Plan and the nine ACS objectives."

This third alternative places a 4,500-square-foot, six-room lodge behind the 100-foot setback. It also includes six constructed cabins and four 150-square-foot "camping cabins" like those currently in place at the resort.

Sims echoed Anthony's comments that the decision "can be a mix" of the action alternatives.

"There might be something in Alternative B that's good and something only in Alternative C," he explained. "Sometimes that decision is based on the (public) comments we get back."

A copy of the Suttle Lake EA is available for review at the Sisters Ranger District, Highway 20 and Pine Street, in Sisters, and at the Deschutes National Forest supervisor's office at 1645 Highway 20 East in Bend.

Written comments should be received prior to the close of business on Monday, July 26, and should be addressed to Forest Supervisor Sally Collins, c/o Suttle Lake Resort EA, P.O. Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759. E-mail comments can be sent to Jeff Sims at jcsims/[email protected] fs.fed.us.