Willamette National Forest Proposes Changes to Improve Recreation at Detroit Lake

Increased use and unruly behavior has raised a critical need to take management actions to promote safety and security and improve resource conditions.

Detroit Lake, Oregon Photo Courtesy: rocklobster.com

(DETROIT) - In an ongoing effort to improve the recreation experience at Detroit Lake, the Willamette National Forest is proposing changes that help promote a safer, family atmosphere.

Dani Pavoni with the Detroit ranger District says concerns have been raised by many people: the recreating public, local and summer home residents, concessionaire, camp hosts, permittees, law enforcement officials, and ranger district staff.

Large groups of people camping at undeveloped areas next to campgrounds and residences are often disruptive by having loud parties and firing weapons late at night Pavoni said.

The Forest Service is joining other public land managers in the North Santiam who have been successful in deterring unlawful and unruly activities at recreation sites.

The proposed changes are:

To improve safety within high use areas, a ½ mile wide 'no shooting safety corridor' would be designated on federal lands around Detroit Lake (includes Piety Island) and to either side of the Breitenbush Road. The firearm restriction would not prohibit legal hunting but would prohibit target shooting.

Five short user-created roads would be closed or re-closed to manage off road driving, riparian resource damage and discourage undesirable behaviors that cause law enforcement concerns. Places for parking near the Blowout Road would be designated and camping would still be allowed. Two roads to popular campsites sites would be improved. Boat-in camping would not be affected.

To reduce riparian resource damage, sanitation concerns, and user conflicts, the area between Upper Arm Day Use Site and the City of Detroit within the Breitenbush Arm of Detroit Lake would be 'designated day use only.' It also includes the highway frontage sites along French Creek Road. Overnight camping would be prohibited in this zone. Some day-use parking spaces would be designated along the Breitenbush Road for activities such as kayaking, picnicking and fishing. The newly constructed Upper Arm Day Use Site will open early this summer. The Upper Arm site includes picnic sites, wheel-chair accessible swim area and sand beach, fishing pier, wetland viewpoint, trails and parking for about 45 vehicles. A significant investment was made to develop the day-use site, and managing the Breitenbush Arm of the lake as day-use aligns with the goals of Detroit Lake Area Management Guide.

To improve security at Hoover, Southshore and Cove Creek Campgrounds, electric time-lock gates would be installed at entrances. The gates would automatically close at night and open early the next morning. A sensor would be installed inside the gate so that campers could leave the campground after it closes. Emergency vehicles would have access behind the gate at any time.

To improve the experience at Santiam Flats and manage capacity that addresses law enforcement concerns, physical barriers would be installed to delineate where people can camp within a campsite. A limit on people per site and number of vehicles would also be set. Limits on the number of campers, tents and vehicles per campsites were established for all other campgrounds on the Detroit District in 2004.

The implementation of the proposals would begin early this summer.

According to a 2005 Marine Board Boating Survey, Detroit Lake is now the highest use boating lake in the state.

Over the past few years, the Detroit Ranger District has made significant improvements to align with public demand including the construction of Cove Creek Campground with 63 campsites and an overnight group site, Upper Arm Day-Use Area; Fox Creek Group Site; and converted Santiam Flats from an undeveloped camping area to a 32 unit developed campground with amenities.

Two privately-owned marinas and Detroit Lake State Park are operated under a special use permit administered by the Forest Service.

To better meet boater needs, the marinas have increased the number of boat slips and trailer parking.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department recently completed their Detroit Lake State Park Master Plan to update and improve park facilities to respond to the recreating public's demands.

Those updates will include constructing a winter low-water boat ramp, day-use area expansion at Mongold, construction of a group camp at Tumble Creek, and improvements within the Detroit Lake Campground to include additional RV sites, parking, moorage, and camper cabins to extend the camping season.

Please submit comments about the Detroit Lake proposals by May 19th, to: Detroit Ranger District, Attn: Detroit Lake Strategy, HC 73 Box 320, Mill City, OR 97360

or visit the Willamette Web site for more information at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/manage/detroitlake/