News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The U.S. Forest Service recently approved the sale of 160 acres of National Forest land to the City of Sisters for the city's wastewater treatment and disposal facility.
Acting Deschutes National Forest Supervisor Rebecca Heath signed the decision under the authority of the Townsite Act on Monday, July 26. The Act allows the federal government to sell public land if the sale will benefit the local community.
The land approved for the sale is located at the southern edge of Sisters and is commonly known as Section 9. The recent decision allows the sale of up to 160 acres of Section 9, but Sisters may be eligible for a larger parcel.
The City of Sisters will begin a public process in September to determine how the land can best be used to dispose of treated wastewater. If Sisters residents decide more than 160 acres is needed - up to 240 acres - the "Forest Service may consider conducting a new environmental analysis and issue another decision notice to address that request,"according to Heath.
The Townsite Act process was pursued simultaneously by city officials along with pending federal legislation that would convey the same parcel of land without any payment from the city. That legislation currently passed in the U.S. Senate and now sits in the House of Representatives.
The federal legislation, Senate Bill 416, also contains an option to give the city between 160 and 240 acres, depending on the ensuing public process.
The city now has the option to purchase the land at "fair market value,"estimated at $650,000, according to Sisters mayor Steve Wilson.
"The city is going to have to decide if they want to buy the land through the Townsite Act or wait until Congress either passes or doesn't pass the legislation,"said Sisters district ranger Bill Anthony.
If the city accepts the Townsite Act option, the Forest Service will grant a one-year special-use permit so the city can begin work right away.
According to the Forest Service, the alternative chosen in the Townsite Act decision "responds to public comment which encourages the city to make efficient use of the land... before more land is acquired.
Anthony noted that, while there is "broad-based support"for the sewer system, there is no consensus on what should be done with any extra land that the city might acquire.
Proposals have been made for a golf course or a cemetery on the site.
"Some people like those ideas, some don't,"Anthony said.
Under the decision, the Eagle Rock bicycle trail would remain, for the most part, in its current location, and mule deer and other wildlife would be able to continue to use the area.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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