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Wednesday, April 27, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
ODFW plans education
site in Camp Sherman
By Kathryn Godsiff
Correspondent
There’s a hidden gem in
Camp Sherman that’s under
consideration for develop-
ment into an educational site.
The proposal is causing some
consternation among neigh-
boring property owners.
The site in question is the
old Metolius Fish Hatchery,
15 acres near Spring
Creek owned by Oregon
Department of Fish and
Wildlife (ODFW). A proposal
to develop a youth fishing and
salmon acclimation pond has
been in the works for many
months. A public meeting
was held on April 18 at the
Camp Sherman Community
Hall to present the latest itera-
tion of the proposal and allow
for public comment.
The hatchery was con-
structed in 1947 by the
Oregon Fish Commission
and was used for 20 years
before being decomissioned
in 1967. The site is currently
used by ODFW’s Salmon-
Trout Enhancement Program
(STEM) for youth educa-
tion programs, and is part of
the wider Kokanee Karnival
program that introduces 4th-
and 5th-grade students to
many things aquatic, includ-
ing fishing and awareness of
Oregon’s water resources and
environment.
The proposed develop-
ment is to enhance use of
the area by building a half-
acre pond for youth (17 and
under) fishing in the summer
and chinook salmon acclima-
tion during the fall-spring.
The area will be open to the
general public during the
summer months; other usage
will be by school or other
educational groups. Picnic
tables, a walking path, inter-
pretive signage and perimeter
fencing are part of the facili-
ties envisaged for summer
use.
A parking lot and vault toi-
let and space for a site host/
caretaker is proposed in the
northwest corner. This is the
aspect that is causing concern
for neighbors. The proxim-
ity of the toilet to their prop-
erty lines and the prospect of
increased traffic caused sev-
eral to speak against the proj-
ect in its current state.
ODFW staff agreed to
consider moving the toilet
and planting more buffer veg-
etation in the area.
Some neighbors also had
concerns about the degree of
noticing and outreach con-
ducted by ODFW regarding
the proposal.
Chip Dale, an ODFW
manager and Camp Sherman
resident, and Brett Hodgson,
Upper Deschutes district
fish biologist for ODFW,
reminded those present that
ODFW has a mission as a
state agency to put any prop-
erty owned to its highest
and best use. However, staff
noted, a very real alternative
for the property, if consen-
sus can’t be reached about
the proposal, is that the state
would sell it.
GOLFERS: 364 golfers
participated in
weekend event
Continued from page 1
three weekend days. The
tournament also includes one
gross division, four net divi-
sions and ladies net and gross
payouts. Each round is played
at a different course.
This unique team format
has helped turn the tourna-
ment into a success, Malone
said. Groups of teams, rep-
resenting Oregon cities such
Astoria, La Grande, and
Portland, as well as Seattle,
travel to Central Oregon
each year to participate in the
tournament.
“It really is about the
camaraderie,” Malone said.
“We have a number of groups
that come from different cit-
ies and come with a lot of
teams. For them, the tourna-
ment is a chance for a group
of buddies to come and enjoy
the team format. It really is
about the camaraderie and
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS
Golfers braved blustery spring weather for Central Oregon Shootout.
the fun that they have golfing
together.”
The Central Oregon
Shootout has proven to be
a boon for the economy of
Sisters and the surround-
ing area. About 85 per-
cent of its participants
travel from outside Central
Oregon.
According to an annual
players survey, each partici-
pant spends on average nearly
$1,000 on lodging, entertain-
ment, food and more. That
figure does not include the
tournament’s $300 entry
fee.
“It was designed to be a
season-opening tournament
that will bring in a number
of players during what would
typically be a slow time: the
shoulder season between
winter sports and summer
sports,” Malone said. “And
it has been a shot in the
arm for the golf courses,
the restaurants and the area
hotels.”