The comment period for the Sweet Home Ranger District’s Cascadia Day Use Area Project is open through Aug. 30.
The site currently includes a storage building surrounded by fencing on the east side of High Deck Road and an open area on the west side of High Deck road, just off Highway 20 at Short Bridge.
The existing building and fencing would remain where they are, but the Ranger District proposes developing the site into a day use area to improve management of the site and to highlight to visitors the many resource values located at the site.
The open area on the west side is in need of attention. Illegal off-highway vehicle use around the historic Santiam Wagon Road, vandalism and unauthorized dumping occur there. Many exotic and invasive plants have colonized it. The district hopes to decrease unauthorized use of the site.
The project will include a parking area capable of accommodating eight to 10 cars and one or two buses or recreational vehicles. The project will remove noxious weeds; restore a historic wall constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps; install a handicap-accessible interpretive loop trail, kiosks and a viewing area.
For more information or to comment, contact the Ranger District, 4431 Hwy. 20 or call the district office at (541) 367-5168. Comments may be mailed to Jon Meier at the district office or emailed to [email protected]. Emails should reference “Cascadia Day Use Project” in the subject line and include name and mailing address. Hand-delivered comments will be accepted during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.