Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2015)
34 Wednesday, April 1, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon RESTORATIOn: Neighbors want to keep access point Continued from page 1 Aquatic Restoration Project” has been released and is open for public comment. The EA includes three alternatives for action, includ- ing “no action.” The second alternative would plug and breach old ditches in Glaze Meadow to increase water flow to Indian Ford Creek; create riffles to promote fish passage below an old irriga- tion dam; relocate dispersed camping sites and close or decommission user-created roads to reduce sediment in the creek. There would also be some thinning and burning to improve aspen stands. Alternative 2 would close the stream crossing at Forest Road 2058 and Pine Street, removing two culverts and reshaping the channel and floodplain. Alternative 2 is the Forest Service’s preferred alternative. Alternative 3 would be similar to Alternative 2, but would keep the Pine Street crossing by building a ford culvert or a bridge. Keeping that crossing is important to property owners in the area. Jack McGowan, who lives and manages property in the area, explained the impor- tance of the crossing. “We have numerous prop- erty owners that live on the north side of Indian Ford (Creek) that have property on the other side,” he said. “I go there regularly because I’m doing invasive species resto- ration, native species planting and, as a citizen, cleaning up illegal dump sites.” If the crossing were decommissioned, McGowan and other property owners would have to drive a trac- tor down Indian Ford Road to Camp Polk Road, down Camp Polk To Barclay and back over to Pine Street and up that dirt road to access their properties for work. The existing Pine Street cross- ing allows direct access with about a quarter-mile tractor drive. The significant additional road travel, McGowan says, creates a vehicular hazard. He and other property owners are also concerned about cutting off an emer- gency access point and a point of access for recreational birders. McGowan said that the Sisters Ranger District has been very open to hearing the property owners’ concerns. “I would like to publi- cally commend the local Forest Service office — (fish biologist) Nate Datchler and (District Ranger) Kristie Miller — for their honesty and willingness to listen to people,” he said. “They’ve been very responsive to my concerns.” The public is welcome to submit comments on the pro- posed project to Indian Ford Aquatic Restoration Project, District Ranger, Kristie Superior Escrow Execution Ultimate Service Stop by and visit with Tiana Van Landuyt & Shelley Marsh. 220 S. Pine St., Ste. 102 | 541-548-9180 Quality Electrical Wiring • New Construction • Remodels • Service Calls David Marshall 541-549-3233 CB#181111 / CCB#152389 541-419-WIRE (9473) 5 SERVING CENTRAL OREGON FOR OVER 10 YEARS www.marshallelectricoregon.com Transforming IDEAS into INSPIRING Living Spaces Creating custom designs that will be a source of joy and pride in your home. CCB#199828 541-815-3212 • www.3crwoodworking.com photo by JaCk mCGowan the Pine street Crossing of Indian Ford Creek is important to neighboring property owners. Miller, P.O. Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759; fax 541-549-7746. Email comments should be sent to comments-pacific- northwest-deschutes-sisters@ fs.fed.us. Put the project name in the subject line. Email commentators are asked to include their mailing address with their email. For more information contact Michael Keown, 541-549-7735. Gordon’s Last Touch Cleaning Specialists For… 541-549-3008 Carpets • Upholstery Windows Accepting VISA & MasterCard! Snow Removal! Member of the vetter vusiness vureau Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 vonded & Insured GENEVA VIEW RANCP O RIGINAL P OMESTEAD R ANCP S ECLUDED WITP 300- DEGREE S PECTACULAR V IEWS ! One of the largest undeveloped acreages in the area available, located 12 miles north of Sisters in Jeff erson County. Home to migrating mule deer, a herd of elk numbering over 100 head, wild turkey, cougar and eagles... wildlife abounds! Several hundred acres of ponderosa pine timber. Off -the-grid property off ers 300 days of sun- shine and a unique hand-dug well. Acreage can be split and sold separate; two tax lots. 1,109± acres. $1,600,000 Off ered by Tim O’Neil, 541-480-3682, Tim@LandAndWildlife.com For info information go to www.LandAndWildlife.com