Local sites in budget cut cross-hairs

Seven forest recreation sites in the Sisters Ranger District are among those proposed for reduced maintenance and removal of improvements, according to Mark Christiansen, recreation program manager with the Deschutes National Forest.

The Forest Service is considering this proposal to cut costs to meet budget reductions for their 2007 fiscal year beginning October 1.

“It is important that the public understands that we are not proposing closing any of these affected sites, but only reducing the amenities they have offered in the past,” Christiansen explained. “In addition, we are not reducing maintenance work or amenities at any of our major sites.”

In recent months, the Forest Service has reviewed 212 sites in the forest to determine the level of public use and the cost of maintaining these limited use areas, he said. Some 13 questions were answered for each site, such as level of use, maintenance cost, and if other sites are available in the area.

“We will soon announce a public review process of what we come up with as a proposed draft,” Christiansen added. “Based on the public’s responses, we will then develop a final plan and begin implementing it this fall.”

Local sites that are likely to be on the reduced maintenance list and Christiansen’s comments include:

• Lower Three Creeks Sno-Park — “Often there is not enough snow to make this site usable and it is close to Upper Three Creeks Sno-Park; an existing restroom facility would be removed.”

• Suttle Lake Information sign just off Highway 20 — “A bulletin board and information sign are there now.”

• Mt. Washington Overlook on Highway 20 — “Information signs placed here by our partner, Oregon Forest Resources Institute on the B&B Fire would remain but the area would receive less maintenance.”

• Jack Lake Campground — “This is a fairly primitive campground located at the lake and trailhead with limited use and improvements.”

• Lower Bridge Picnic Area — “Usually only fishermen park here to fish the Metolius and only picnic tables are provided; a campground is just across the bridge.”

• Cabot Lake Trailhead — “Only a picnic table and information bulletin board are here now.”

• Monty Campground — “Another primitive campground with tables and restrooms with better amenities is available a few miles away at Perry South Campground.”

The proposed plan also may identify where improvements would be made at some popular recreation sites and perhaps some fees proposed for additional sites.

Cost of deferred maintenance on the Deschutes National Forest has increased in recent years to about $6.2 million, according to the Forest Service.

Making these reductions could reduce that cost to $4.6 million. The total annual operating and maintenance costs for the Forest’s recreation sites could be reduced from $516,000 to about $393,000.