Plan to protect Squaw Creek

A Forest Service plan will protect riparian areas along Squaw Creek. photo by Jim Fisher Foresters are planning to restore and protect riparian areas along Squaw Creek south of Sisters.

Major goals of the Sisters Ranger District project are to improve stream habitat for bull trout by reducing the negative impacts of off-roading and camping in sensitive streamside riparian areas.

The proposed project covers about 10 miles of Squaw Creek as it flows towards Sisters near the Three Creek Road, Forest Service Road 16. Specific problems created in recent years include stream crossing and "creek crawling" with motor vehicles, bank sloughing, destruction of trout and salmon habitat and the spread of noxious weeds to downstream areas.

Some of these actions have contributed to compaction of streamside soils, increased sedimentation and runoff to streams, and the loss of streamside vegetation, according to a written summary of the project published by the Forest Service.

The Forest Service proposes several specific actions. These include closure of about one-and-a-half miles of eight existing primitive roads leading to the creek by placement of boulders and rail fences and informational signage. A patrol program would prevent new user roads and trails, the expansion of dispersed campsites, and the fording of Squaw Creek by vehicles.

Access to some roads to be closed may be restricted by gates, allowing access only to those with a specific need to enter the area, such as irrigators and fire patrols. Five of the proposed road closures lead west towards Squaw Creek within the first five miles of Three Creek Road, south of Sisters. These include roads 1600-090, 1600-097, 1600-220, 1600-370, and 1600-390.

Three other proposed road closures are off road 1514 that leads west towards the Squaw Creek bridge and campsite. These roads are 1514-510, 1514-605, and 1514-630.

Road closure plans are to partially bury boulders and place woody debris in some areas to restore a natural appearance to the land. Rustic style split-rail fences would be installed along some roads and at dispersed campsites to limit vehicle access in open areas.

Squaw Creek is a federally designated Scenic River from the Three Sisters Wilderness boundary to the gauging system. Until the Squaw Creek Wild and Scenic River Management Plan is completed, the Forest Service is providing interim management actions to protect the outstanding values of the stream.

No in-stream work is planned in the project, minimizing any impact to spawning redband trout. Detailed information and maps of the proposed project are available from the Sisters Ranger District.

This project is excluded from the documentation in an environmental assessment under a category established by the Chief of the Forest Service. However, the Forest Service will take public comment on the proposal. Written comments should be directed to Scott Cotter, c/o Squaw Creek Riparian Protection Project, Sisters Ranger District, P.O. Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759, or by email to [email protected]