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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2019)
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 9 USFS seeks input on wilderness fees The Deschutes and Willamette National Forests are asking for input on a pro- posed special recreation per- mit fee as a part of the new limited-entry system for day and overnight use in three cen- tral Cascades wildernesses. The limited-entry system will go into effect beginning the summer of 2020. The spe- cial recreation permit fee, if approved, also would go into effect in the summer of 2020. <We are looking for the public9s input on the next steps for managing visitor use in these popular wilder- ness areas so we can reduce resource damage and main- tain access to these areas for current and future genera- tions,= said Deschutes Forest Supervisor Holly Jewkes. The central Cascades wil- dernesses include the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Waldo Lake and Diamond Peak wilder- nesses. Increased recreational use is degrading the resources, wilderness character and rec- reation experience in these areas. The Willamette and Deschutes National Forests began an environmental anal- ysis in January 2017 to address these impacts. Following this analysis and public input, the forest officials decided this past spring to apply a limited- entry system, with the final decision signed on May 10, 2019. The Willamette and Deschutes National Forests are now seeking authorization through the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to charge a special recreation permit fee as a part of the limited-entry system within the three wildernesses. The Forest Service has pro- posed the following structure for the special-use permit fee: " No special-use permit fees for youth 12 and under, though each person requires a limited-entry reservation regardless of age. " Day-use permit fee $3 per person (needed at 19 trail- heads, no fee 60 trailheads). " Overnight permit fee $5 per person, per night (needed at 79 trailheads). The special recreation per- mit fee will be required from the Friday before Memorial Day to the last Friday in September in the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and Three Sisters wilderness areas. The special recreation permits would be available at Recreation.gov. Limited-entry reservations would include the special rec- reation permit fee, plus the processing fees charged by Recreation.gov. The process- ing fees are currently $1 per person for day use and $6 per overnight group. Public input will inform the Forest Service9s final pro- posal for the special recreation permit fee structure, how the fees should be invested, and any concerns or suggestions related to the special recre- ation permit fee. The public comment period on the pro- posal began on October 9, and will end on November 25. <During the past two years, as we analyzed the manage- ment strategies needed to maintain these wilderness areas, the public shared many WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME. FAMILY OWNED • SISTERS PROUD LOCAL. RELIABLE. PROFESSIONAL 541-549-4349 260 N. Pine St., Sisters Licensed Bonded / Insured CCB#87587 Smile, Sisters! We’re committed to your dental health! our d e n t a l h e a l t h ! Exceptional Health, Prevention & Aesthetics For Your Family! Sisters Dental concerns and ideas about the fees associated with a limited- entry system,= said Tracy Beck, forest supervisor on the Willamette National Forest. <Now we seek the public9s engagement on the specifics of the fee structure.= The Forests will review and consider all comments and use them to inform how the proposal may be adjusted. The final proposal will be presented to two Resource Advisory Committees, one on the east side of the Cascades and one on the west side of the Cascades. The Resource Advisory Committees will give the Forest Service recom- mendations on the fee struc- ture. The regional forester for the Pacific Northwest, Region 6, will make the final decision. Under Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, 80 to 95 percent of the pro- posed special recreation per- mit fees would be invested in wilderness management activities, trail maintenance, visitor education and expand- ing work with volunteers and partners within the three wildernesses. Comments on the special recreation permit fee may be mailed to the Willamette National Forest, ATTN: Recreation Fees, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D, Springfield, OR, 97477. Comments can also be submitted by email to WillametteRecFee Comments@usda.gov or dropped off at any Willamette or Deschutes National Forest office during business hours. PHOTO COURTESY OSP A buck deer was shot illegally north of Sisters. Police seek information on illegal deer kill The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public9s help for information regarding the unlawful take of a buck deer north of Sisters. A 4x4 buck deer was found shot with a rifle and left to waste near the intersection of Camp Polk Road and Wilt Road. Investigators believe the deer was shot sometime around September 5, during the buck deer archery season. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact OSP Trooper Aaron Roth at 503-583-5199 or through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452- 7888 or OSP (mobile). The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a cita- tion for the unlawful take/ possession or waste of big game mammals. The Oregon Hunters Association TIP reward fund also offers cash rewards for information lead- ing to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of bighorn sheep, rocky moun- tain goat, moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear, cougar, wolf, upland birds, waterfowl, fur- bearers, game fish and shell- fish. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags and for the unlawful lend- ing/borrowing of big game tags. www.NuggetNews.com Open Enrollment Starts November 1! Have questions before enrolling or changing plans? Call our local COUNTRY Financial ® Representative, Linda Alldredge at 541-549-6946. Your appointment is FREE! Linda Alldredge L 541-549-6946 5 Trevor Frideres d.m.d. 1 S. Elm St., Ste. 100, 178 0 Si Sisters t l linda.alldredge@countryfi nancial.com | countryfi nancial.com/linda.alldredge p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110 Health insurance policies are purchased through CC Services Inc., from a third party insurer not affi liated with COUNTRY Financial. Availability differs by state. 1018-001 410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters