Projects would help bull trout

Sisters foresters plan to move some campsites in the Metolius Basin away from streams to protect bull trout habitat.

The Sisters Ranger District is seeking public comments on the proposed project to protect riparian areas along bull trout streams within the Metolius Basin. According to the Forest Service, comments will help the district design the project and analyze its potential effects.

According to a letter sent to interested citizens, the "project proposes to protect bull trout habitat by reducing compaction from vehicles and recreation uses through the placement of boulders or woody debris and moving certain camping areas and fire rings back from the edge of streams."

According to the Forest Service, in some areas campers may need to park slightly farther from the stream edge, but can still access campsites by foot.

Some paths created by foot traffic over the years may be closed and restored by the placement of boulders and/or the scattering of woody debris in order to achieve a natural appearance. Signs may also be used to close certain user-created routes, the letter stated.

Work planned in 2004 will focus on finishing up Phase One boulder placement along Canyon Creek, Jack Creek, Roaring Creek and at several Metolius River sites near Canyon Creek, then will move into Phase Two, focusing on areas along Lake Creek, Abbot Creek, Candle Creek, Brush Creek, and Jefferson Creek, the Forest Service reported.

Bull trout were listed as a threatened species in 1998. Critical habitat was recently proposed and includes streams within the Metolius Basin.

"Bull trout require cold, clear water with an abundance of large wood and shade, low levels of fine sediment and stable stream banks," the Forest Service stated.

Some road closures are proposed:

• Road 1216-100 may be blocked on either side of Deschutes Basin Land Trust's Metolius Preserve.
• Road 1260-201, a short, 0.1-mile spur road leading to a dispersed campsite on the edge of Roaring Creek, may be blocked where it leaves road 1260-200; dispersed camping at this site may be discouraged as it is located directly on the Metolius-Windigo Trail.
• The current road 1200-500 blockade may be reinforced and slightly moved, and the road obliterated for a distance beyond the closure to protect habitat along Brush Creek within the B & B Complex burn area.
• Road 1200-900 may be blocked just beyond the 900-902 junction to prevent vehicles from fording Abbot Creek.

  Abbot Creek Campground was burned over and is now closed.

• Road 1292-500, closely paralleling Candle Creek within the B & B Complex burn area, may be blocked after the first dispersed campsite and the road obliterated beyond that point.

Those interested may address written comments to Scott Cotter, c/o Bull Trout Streamside Protection Project -- Phase Two, Sisters Ranger District, P .0. Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759.

Comments may also be sent via e-mail to: [email protected]