To the participants of the Dutchman Summit April 1st and 2nd, 2004: Enclosed is the report for the workshop at the Bend Community Center that you all participated in last week. This report gathers up all your work from the flip charts that were generated in the small group sessions. Safety and the enjoyment of winter recreation at Dutchman were the key concerns that brought us all together. Though safety isn’t identified as a separate issue, I see safety identified in many ways across the issue topic categories. Some of the statements are full sentences, and some are phrases. We tried to maintain the integrity of what you said. As you read this report, remember that these are real words, expressed and recorded by the participants at the session. Each statement is intentional. All the words have meanings, both individually and collectively. Forest Supervisor Leslie Weldon and District Ranger Walt Schloer continue to receive letters of concern about the future of Dutchman. Walt reviews those letters in addition to the Summit record as he considers what can be done next winter season and in the near future range of two to ten years. Thank you again for dedicating your time and good will to these two days of work together. It took a great deal of courage to explore the issues and work together to begin to resolve them. I hope the skills you learned and this report and process are now useful to you. I encourage you to continue to do your part to improve the safety and enjoyment of winter recreation at Dutchman. Sincerely, SUE OLSON Public Affairs and Partnerships Deschutes National Forest -Economic issue (maximum capacity): the tourism dollars decline. -Pay for play/pay more for play -It will be harder to get groups together. -There will be polarization. -Increased accidents (avalanches) -There will be less of a family activity. -There will be years of low snow. -Bad reputation -USFS overreacts and implements tight controls. -Increased conflicts: parking and social issues -Traffic creating new social issues -Locals squeezed out -More negative impacts to land and air quality -Degraded experience for all -Continuing problem: bad image of the authorities (i.e. Forest Service, other organizations and user groups) -Economic impact because of not enough area to recreate—mainly a parking issue, less a safety issue -Too crowded so people will recreate elsewhere -Conflicts may escalate. -When snowmobiles are “pushed out,” access becomes more difficult due to snowbanks. -Collision on twisty sections of trail 8 is possible. -Length limit displaces snow-mos for parking. -Greater frustration with limited parking -Continued friction between user groups -Verbal (including articles in newspaper) and hand gestures due to feeling uncomfortable with the other users create a poor sense of community. -More conflicts between the groups and parking congestion -The death of a child -Complete overcrowding and overuse of the area -Parking is the biggest problem. -Damage to property or person, due to conflict -Accident/injury involving users, regardless if snowmobiler or skier -Overcrowding/overuse leads to people conflicts, accidents and abuse of the environment. -Serious accidents -Summit ends without decisions made. -Agency administrators held responsible for accidents -Accidents occur where people and machines mix. -Safety: collisions, speed, congestion, snow-rage, law enforcement -Parking: access, use -Education: public perception: “nothing’s changed in 25 years.” -Education: users unaware of current rules, etiquette, risks -Signage -Equal rights or segregations -Parking equals use -Turn people away -People leave due to no snopark. -Tension, aggression, arguments -Todd Lake Trail—safety -Parking: crowding, lack of education, freedom for the outlaw, law enforcement costs -Unregulated speed -Aggravation between motorized and non--motorized users -Loss of “nature experience” -Death (people impacts) -Decline in safety -Attorneys, court cases -Over-congestion -Vegetation impacts -Lack of definitions -Unsolved after years -Multi-use access -Parking full at 6 a.m. -Snowmobile hitting skier -More encounters between users -More hostility -One user group will be pushed out (by regulation or displacement). -Need to revisit the issue -Increase in machines’ power equals increase in speed -More conflict: liability, safety, congestion, accidents increase -Negative environmental impacts when not enough snow -Litter -Worse early/late season -Close all access -Inadequate parking limits use and increases conflict. -Physical occurrences: speed, riding on x-country trail, emissions, technology, noise -Continuing bad stereotypes amongst groups -Physical confrontations -Lawsuits -Loss of the use of the area to all -For non-motorized people, speed is a perceived concern -How do we deal with rebels? -Parking problem: need more for increased use. -Trail safety—skiers should move off side of shared use sno-mo trail when sno-mos approach. -Parking: concern for verbal or physical violence with present conditions -Worst problem: parking at Dutchman creates friction between users -More people trying to use parking and area could escalate to physical contacts and violence. -Objectives for why we are here do not get accomplished (user conflicts, speed issue, carrying capacity). -Displacement factor: non-motorized user at disadvantage because physically smaller -Worst case: further displacement: ratio of fewer skiers/more snomobilers over time -More parking and no conflicts between different groups -Larger parking lot with spaces for snowmobilers and skiers -Either enlarge the parking lot or add another lot close by. -A winter recreational wonderland where enough space for parking and trails is available for skiers/snowmobilers to co-exist in a safe and enjoyable environment -More parking is found without the need for excessive amounts of funding. -A much larger sno-park at Dutchman would solve other problems. -A new sno-park should be developed at a high enough elevation that snowmobilers can get out early and late in year (Sunrise Lodge and up). -Separation of users near the sno-park (two similar comments). -Educate snowshoers and skiers to use the Mt. Bachelor parking area and main corridor to the high country. -Build additional sno-park close to Dutchman area. -Build Oregon's first combination-use sno-park with a large lot for snowmobilers and another for skiers. -Make parking more efficient by having head-in parking for cars and an off-loading space for snowmobiles before they park elsewhere. -Elk Lake guests and employees should park in designated space at the Mt. Bachelor parking lot. -Leave Dutchman Sno-park as is and build a new one toward the Forest Service Road 45/46 junction (four similar comments). -Build a new parking area that is adequate, but not so large that trails become congested. -Provide parking guidance for trailers and RVs. -Have designated spots for SUVs, trailers and large trucks. -Create adequate parking and access to high country for all user groups. -Parking lot additions or expansion should be developed to hold all user groups. -Build a special area for tubing and kids' play. -Follow through with plans started in 1996 to enlarge the parking to accommodate increases in population and recreation. -Speed limits should be posted where users meet (several comments). -Separate areas for skate skiers, novices, snowmobilers and snowshoers. -Designate a snowmobile speed area (two similar comments). -Shared trails should be marked for both users, for example: "Caution, slow, stay to the right." -Increase the number of blue diamond trails to give skiers more options. -Enforce new regulations between users of shared areas. -Post more signs at cross trails (two similar comments). -Promote users to self-police their activities and keep each other in compliance (two similar comments). -Create some separation of users in heavily-congested areas on trails and in parking areas, (two similar comments.) -Always be able to telemark ski down southwest side of Tumalo Mountain. -Law enforcement officers should issue more tickets. -No speed limits—use the basic rule for congested areas, (two similar comments.) -Update trail systems to eliminate possible dangerous areas; add signs or change trails. -Begin to certify snowmobilers. -Ensure skiers have opportunity for convenient access to trails not used by snowmobilers, similar to how hikers have opportunities to access trails not used by mountain bikes or ATVs. -Discourage littering and environmental damage. -Enforce restrictions already in place, such as prohibiting COCC classes from accessing Dutchman Sno-park. -Reduce irritation by keeping snowmobilers off ski trails and snowshoers off skier tracks. -Create more trails away from designated snowmobile trails. -Designate trails for motorized and non-motorized use on Dutchman Flat proper. -Promote better education of each sport and their responsibility in shared-use areas. -Snowmo/ski ranger on site to educate/regulate -Users should voluntarily restrict areas where they engage in different activities. -Users should respect each other so there is no need for further regulation (two similar comments). -Create a Dutchman area social club for all users so that they can meet socially and have discourse. -Promote access to the backcountry for all user groups. -Users have ownership in the area and love the Forest Service. -Users get along and respect each other. -Create an environment where all users have access to snow where they can safely enjoy their chosen activities. -Increase use with less conflict, less resource damage, greater safety for users and positive user interactions. -Educate users on proper trail etiquette (three similar comments). -Ensure area is used without conflict, multiple-use is embraced and everyone has a quality experience. -Encourage users to consider the safety of others and operate vehicles within their control, depending upon the conditions and area they are using. -Encourage true respect for each other’s sport. -Ensure all users co-exist in a safe environment by practicing reasonable and prudent motorized vehicle operation. -Parents should show responsibility for their children's safety. -Educate the media about the issue. -Provide guidance for novice users, including those who rent snowmobiles and skis. -Use law enforcement and education to provide a safer area, without speed limits. -Educate all user groups to reduce real or perceived conflicts. -Ensure both skiers and snowmobilers have sufficient full-season access to a range of high-quality scenic trails. -Encourage good manners to be shown in sno-parks and on trails. -Encourage better safety education for all. -Promote more interaction between user groups about conflicts, with facts from all sides. -Take future trends into account for the next 10 to 20 years. -Provide better education of rules for each user group. -Create documentation that tracks changes in user groups and technology. This question for the third small group session on April 2nd was a two-part question that explored the actions to foster the best possible outcomes in the Dutchman area for : -next winter season and -in the near term future of 2 to 10 years. After the small groups reported out to the full circle, the responses on the flip charts were gathered into a “collective statement.” This simply brought all the short term responses and long term responses together, and grouped comments according to common topics. This allows the participants to see their words mixing into a collective statement that reflects all the views expressed. -Next winter season There were several suggestions about parking: -Plow extra parking at the Y. -Limit length of oversize rigs. -Do not allow motor homes at the Dutchman lot. -Designate separate spaces for cars and trailers. -Give guidance to help people park more efficiently. -Take trailer parking out of Dutchman and move to Wanoga. -Encourage or allow overflow snowmobile parking at Swampy and Meissner. -Use late season alternative parking at Sunrise Lodge. -Allow parking on north side of highway. -Cross-country skiers go to Mt. Bachelor parking lot -Allow no snowmobile parking until there is adequate snow. -Designate even/odd days for parking and by geographic areas. -Provide off-loading for snowmobiles at Bachelor parking lot -Plow beyond the gate on winter section of 46 (maybe up to ½ mile). -Use Dutchman Flat for non-motorized parking only -Move overnight parking for Elk Lake Resort staff and guests to Mt. Bachelor. -Start sno-park EA now! -Make no change. First come, first served. -Implement a sno-park fee for trailers. -Create a trailer sno-park fee program for trailers that takes into consideration the length of the trailer. -Charge for trailer use that reflects an equivalency of space taken up by the trailer as compared to the length of a standard passenger vehicle or vehicles. -Eliminate special treatment for Elk Lake parking at Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. -Strictly enforce current prohibitions against overnight parking. -Make the current Dutchman Flat Sno-Park for general public sno-park permitted passenger vehicles only, and prohibit snowmobiles to be either loaded or unloaded at this sno-park. In addition there were several suggestions related to corridors: -Provide and designate corridors without play areas for snowmobilers across Dutchman Flat. -Designate two trails through Dutchman Flat access area, one for motorized and one for non-motorized. This equals a buffer zone off existing ski trails -Do not allow x-country skiing on Trail 8. -Limit vehicles to on-trail travel in Dutchman area, leaving the flat open to special events. -Dedicate a motorized use only area. -Provide a 100 foot wide non-motorized corridor at base of Tumalo Mountain across Dutchman Flat. -Prohibit non-motorized users from using marked snowmobile trails (orange diamonds). -Maintain (or improve if necessary) the existing corridor for snowmobilers to reach the Dutchman Flat area from the Wanoga Sno-Park. Speed was another concern: -Control speed on Dutchman Flat. -Do not designate speed limits unless a study shows that there is a problem in certain areas. -Post speed limits where appropriate. -Limit speed to 25 m.p.h. across the Dutchman Flat area to the common corridor. -Set speed limits on trails 5, 7, 8 per “Fall Proposal.” -Set speed limits within dual usage areas. -Implement and enforce reasonable snowmobile speed limits. Education was another opportunity: -Provide education for all groups on alternative parking areas. -Improve user education and educate both sides. -Utilize volunteer snow patrol rangers. -Provide strong public information education by the USFS. -Encourage media education. -Educate non-motorized users to use the Mt. Bachelor parking lot and use the common corridor to access the high country. -Develop a new map for all users that talks about trails and behavior. -Use signage for the Mt.Bachelor common corridor, head-in parking options, motorized/non-motorized trail crossings, caution, slow x miles, congestion. -Strict regulations on rental sleds -Better signage at trail head and at crossings -Prohibit the use of orange diamond marked trails by non-motorized users. -Establish better communication and cooperation among the three law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction in the area. Other suggestions included: -Regularly get together with other winter user groups. -Designate alternative motorized and non-motorized weekends. -Move signage to more meaningful and effective locations. -Move signs to keep snowmobiles off blue trails. -Each user group, through their respective clubs, helps set up rules of snow usage. -Each group of users need to be aware of each other’s trails. -Maintain or increase law enforcement levels. -Law enforcement should focus on unsafe operation of motor vehicles and motorized use in closed areas. -Use snowmobile volunteers to assist skiers/boarders to wilderness boundary. -Take no action -In the near term future of 2-10 years? There were several suggestions about parking: -Expand existing lots or build new lots to help disperse or move users to other areas--it would solve a big chunk of the problem (for example Moon Mountain). -Construct a new high elevation “motorized use only” parking lot at junction of roads 45/46 (junction of Century Drive and Sunriver access road). This would allow non-motorized parking at both Dutchman and Vista sno-parks. -Provide more parking at Wanoga. -Expand the Dutchman Flat lot to the 1996 proposal and then require snowmobiles to stay on trails 5 and/or 7 to access the high country. -Provide more parking at Sunrise Village. -Expand current Vista Butte parking lot. -Create a new sno-park at the 42/43 junction (South Twin/Wickiup). -Prevent Elk Lake Resort people from parking at Dutchman sno-park and move them to the Mt. Bachelor lot. -Fast track the EA for a new lot! -Plow a larger lot to provide more parking in the Y. -Consider strongly the effects of building a sno-park based on user demands –present and future. -Design sno-parks similar to rest area parking (separate areas for large and small vehicles). -Designate the Dutchman parking lots for non-motorized use only. -Consider the possibility of constructing other high elevation motorized sno-parks east of Dutchman Flat. -Create another general use sno-park and designate the current Dutchman Flat Sno-Park only for vehicles without snowmobiles. -Enlarge the current Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. Dutchman area usage had a number of comments: -Close Dutchman Flat and the slopes of Tumulo Mountain to motorized use except for clearly marked snowmobile corridors and for special permitted events. -Create new trails for disbursement to all areas from new sno-park. -Develop speed limits. -Open the south side of Mt. Bachelor to snowmobiles. -More designated snowshoe trails in Dutchman Flat. -Create a new motorized snow play area at or near the new sno-park. -Segregate use on the flat to reduce conflict (snowmobiles/skiers/snowshoers). -Create a new high speed design play area for motorized users. -Determine true carrying capacity cap based on sound science: take into consideration resource protection: soils, vegetation, air quality, noise, and quality recreational experience for both motorized and non-motorized use. -Close Dutchman area to snowmobile snow play, but maintain snow mobile corridors with a 35 m.p.h. speed limit. -Create a snow-level dependent sno-park in the area where the Cascade Lakes Highway continues but is not currently plowed. This sno-park would only be open during “early season” and “late season” and would provide snowmobilers with snow access to the high country when the snow levels at Wanoga are insufficient. Speed was an issue: -Create a speed limit on the flats similar to those on lakes (no wake zone) for marine use. -Possible speed limits on short corridor to sno-park with documented need Proponents of speed limits pay for funding research, equipment and enforcement for speed limits. Again Education was identified as a critical item: -Quality/effective signage; more a better signage as to specific trail use -Post signs detailing multiple use area--enter at your own risk. -More education for all user groups -Educate with efficient package signage. -Media education-- not sensationalism -Increase media and general public awareness of positive interaction. -Use regular volunteers for trail sno-park patrols and education. -More law enforcement presence -Focus on parental responsibility for awareness. -Provide guidance for novice users including rentals. -Develop multiple use maps for all users with proper etiquette. -Develop regulations. -Hold a one day summit once a year. -Educate the public on the trail grooming system to make sure that public knows that motorized use pays. -Use latest use research that shows that good management can help protect and apparently increase the carrying capacity of even wilderness areas. |