Illegal Activity on State Lands in Central Oregon on the Rise

Public advised of actions that could result in fines.

Bend, Oregon Photo courtesy: USGS

(BEND, Ore. ) - From bike jumps to dumping garbage, illegal activities on land owned by the Department of State Lands just outside the Bend city limits are on the increase. “Last Thursday morning we removed bike jumps that were built with dirt that was dug out from the site. We had to fill deep holes and level the mounds,” said Nancy Pustis, DSL’s eastern region manager. “This kind of activity is prohibited on our land, and we’re very concerned about safety,” she said. The activities are taking place on DSL’s Steven’s Road parcel, located southeast of the intersection at Reed Market Road and 27th Street.

Dumping garbage, using motorized vehicles, altering the land, discharging firearms, and using campfires on the site are against the law. Recreational activities such as hiking and horseback riding are allowed, said Pustis, but only when the property is open to the public, between 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM. No camping is allowed. “If we see illegal activity, we will call the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department,” said Pustis. “We’ve put up signs to inform the public, but are very concerned they are not being taken seriously. We are serious.”

DSL has posted road closure signs at various locations on the property. A partnership with the county’s Juvenile Community Justice Department will allow youth in this program to clean up the site on an ongoing basis for 12 months. Anyone seeing motorized vehicles or other suspicious activities on the parcel is advised to call the DSL Eastern Region Office, (541) 388-6112, or the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, (541) 388-0170.