Camp Sherman land exchange explored

Camp Sherman residents turned out on Saturday, September 30, to learn about a proposed a three-way land exchange involving Kim Lundgren, owner of The House on the Metolius and the Forest Service.

The proposal would exchange Lundgren's 5.99 acres on Lake Creek for a 2.5 acre property on the Metolius River and 5.5 acres at the site of Black Butte School and Chapel in the Pines.

Presently the 2.5 acre Metolius River property is operated under a special use permit to allow for encroachment of two cabins built by a private owner on Forest Service property in 1948.

Those cabins are part of the House on the Metolius operation. Transfer of ownership over to Lundgren would eliminate the need for the Forest Service to update the special use permit.

Lundgren would like to obtain the Black Butte School property and transfer ownership to the school district. At the same time the school district would lease the present church property to the Chapel in the Pines.

In the third part of this triangle, the Forest Service would receive 5.99 acres of Lake Creek property and use it for public recreation and protection of the riparian habitats.

In the land exchange, the Forest Service gains by eliminating two costly special use permits. They also gain potential fish habitat improvement and more riparian and wetland habitat.

The House on the Metolius gains by maintaining its current use of the property. The school and church land exchange are considered in interest of Camp Sherman residents.

"We do not go into land exchanges frivolously," said Bill Anthony, head of the Sisters Ranger District. "They are expensive and time consuming for our personnel and all people involved.

"This exchange has been in the discussion stages for the past five years. If it's in the public interest and is a fair deal for the American public then we'll support it," he said.

One of the crucial steps involved in land exchanges is the appraisal. If the appraised valuations of the three properties come out at equal value for both parties (plus or minus 25 percent), the process may continue.

The 5.5 acre Black Butte School acreage could increase or shrink, depending on the appraisal.

Shirley Ray, a Tract E resident, questioned the effect of the land exchange on use of the Tract E bridge which is privately owned by the 11 home owners. Her concern was use (or overuse) of the bridge to reach the 5.99 acre Lake Creek property if it becomes public land. More discussion was promised on this issue.

Anthony was adamant that he would only support the land exchange if Lundgren agrees to a conservation easement that would allow no new development on the 2.5 acres exchanged along the Wild and Scenic Metolius River.

Jeff Sims of Sisters Ranger District noted that there are 63 steps in a land swap to be followed over the next two years. An environmental assessment (EA) is necessary and this should be completed by May, 2001. This EA covers animals, plants, archeology and cultural considerations.

At that time it will be determined whether to proceed or not to proceed with the project.

If the project proceeds, a decision is expected by August, 2001. A deed execution could take place by December, 2001 and final closure during spring, 2002.

More public meetings are planned to discuss this project including an on-site public inspection.

Rod Bonacker is project leader for the Forest Service and project comments should be directed to him at the U.S. Forest Service-Sisters Ranger District, P.O. Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759 or e-mail at [email protected] or phone 549-7729.