Sean C. Morgan
Linn County has signed an agreement with the U.S. Corps of Engineers allowing the county to take wood debris off of Foster Reservoir.
Shovel operator Terry Watkins was busy removing debris at Shea Point beginning June 21.
The debris has made it difficult for boaters to put their boats into the water, and officials have been warning boaters to beware of submerged wood.
The Corps is planning to sweep a little more in its operations area, said Brian Carroll, director of the Linn County Parks and Recreation Department.
The Corps had previously removed about 60 truckloads of woody debris from the lake, but more was left within containment booms and along the shores.
The Corps reached the limit of its authorization to remove debris from the reservoir, according to Amy Echols, Corps public affairs specialist.
The Corps is authorized to remove wood debris to support safe and efficient operation of the dams.
The Corps’ sweeping is meant to protect the facility, not recreational use, she said, although the Corps does want to provide multiple uses for the lake and respect what’s on people’s minds.
The county Parks Department began working with the Corps to find a way to clear the debris, and City Manager Craig Martin said the city of Sweet Home would support such efforts to preserve the recreational use of the lake.
Carroll said this week that he believes the county has buyers for most of the wood it has pulled from the lake.
“We haven’t signed anything with anyone yet, but we’re hoping to get enough money to offset most of the cost,” he said. “I believe we are close to that.”
He said the county has been offered $30 a ton for chip wood and he said some of the logs in the lake are in good enough shape that they may be able to go to a mill.
Plus, a Eugene company has indicated interest in material that could be used for hog fuel.
Carroll said the plan is now to go after some of the “big debris” along the shorlines.
“As long as we can offset the cost, we’ll keep going as much as we can,” he said.
“At this point, we know we’ve got an issue, and we’re trying to address it.”
He cautioned boaters to be vigilant.
“It’s never 100 percent, but compared to what it was, it’s a lot better.
“People have to be careful out there. They still have to pay attention, keep an eye out for debris.”