News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
A proposed Sisters-to-Tollgate paved path has not been included in the final amended draft for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). That means no funds from that plan will be allocated to the project.
The project was on the STIP list for some time, but did not make it into the final proposal for the 2015-18 STIP funding period.
"In the draft STIP, there's no funding proposed for that project," Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Area Manager Gary Farnsworth confirmed.
That doesn't come as a surprise to trails advocates, since ODOT officials had signaled months ago that it was highly unlikely that the project would get funded through STIP.
"We did not expect to get any STIP funding," said Ann Marland, who does community outreach for the Sisters Trails Alliance (STA).
STA president Chuck Humphreys told The Nugget, "There was a lot of pricey competition for STIP funds - including a roundabout in Sisters - and our trail didn't rank high enough to make the cutoff before the funds ran out. We are actively searching for grant financing for all or part of this trail, and we believe there are several possible sources."
The Barclay Drive/Highway 20 intersection remains on the priority list and is moving forward (see related story, page 1).
STA has advocated for a system of paved trails from Crossroads to Sisters High School, from town to Tollgate, and from Tollgate to Black Butte Ranch. The projects would be completed under the auspices of the U.S. Forest Service.
There is currently no funding for any phase of the project.
A decision was already made on a Crossroads-to-Sisters High School Trail, but there is no funding in place.
"I have to decide whether to continue seeking funding for it and keep the decision in place or not," said Sisters District Ranger Kristie Miller.
A Forest Service Environmental Analysis for the Sisters-Tollgate-BBR trail has not yet been signed by Miller. She told The Nugget last week that she hopes to have a draft decision on that project out to the public in about a month. Under a new process, the public will have an opportunity to object to the content of that draft and meet with Forest Service staff to discuss it. After that, a final decision would be issued, which would not be appealable; opponents at that stage would have to take the matter to court.
An approved EA is important to the securing of funding.
"Until we have that approval, it is difficult to apply for specific grants, even though we will continue with preparations," Humphreys said.
The paved trails were a focus of controversy this summer and fall, as opponents cited concerns about privacy of local residents, cost and whether paved trails in the forest are appropriate.
Proponents believe paved trails offer greater access to people of limited physical capabilities and provide an asset that will draw recreational tourism to the area.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
Reader Comments(0)