Public to weigh in on Squaw Creek 'wild and scenic' plan

A new Sisters event for this year's Riverfest celebration is something called the "Secrets of Squaw Creek Charrette."

Maret Pajutee and the U.S. Forest Service will host the event, unofficially billed as "Maret's Charrette," on Monday, May 5, at the Sisters Ranger District Conference Room.

The open house will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. and feature free river walk maps, a photo display and snacks.

Webster's unabridged dictionary defines charrette as "a final intensive effort to finish a project." In this case, the "project" has to do with the preservation of Squaw Creek, which flows through Sisters.

Pajutee is the Forest Service ecologist for the Sisters Ranger District and has been instrumental in recent efforts to build public interest and involvement in the future of Squaw Creek.

The upper stretches of the local stream have been formally designated as a "Wild and Scenic River" by Congress.

Although the Forest Service will provide a photographic display and other information, the primary purpose of the event is to gather information from the public.

"The emphasis is for us to hear from people what they think are the important river values of the upper reaches of Squaw Creek," Pajutee said. "We want to know what they would like to see in the Wild and Scenic River plan."

Pajutee pointed out that, while the emphasis of the charrette is on the Wild and Scenic parts of the river, the forum is designed to accept input on all aspects of Squaw Creek.

Squaw Creek was once home to spawning runs of anadromous salmon and steelhead. Today, however, its waters are severely depleted by local irrigation demands. Further, its channel has been deepened and straightened in several areas to reduce flooding.

As a result, its waters near Sisters no longer flow onto the historical floodplain, and riparian areas are substantially reduced.

"We're doing a resource assessment, which is the first step in the management plan," Pajutee said.

"What that entails is a holistic look at all river values and a determination of which ones are outstandingly remarkable at a regional or national level."

She said that the examination of issues plans to consider the hydrology, geology, scenery, wildlife and recreational use of the area, then determine where those values fit into the management plan.

Pajutee hopes to attract experts, agencies, and local people with a knowledge of the river to help the Forest Service address issues and options for stream and area management.

"Squaw Creek is a secretive river," she said, "and there may be lots of things about it that we don't know yet. The purpose of this is more for us to listen than to talk."

For further information, contact 549-7727.