Per contractual obligation, the Board is required to develop a Multi-Resource Management Plan for the Watershed and submit it for approval to the Oregon Department of Forestry / Forest Legacy Program (ODF/FLP).  The purpose of the Plan is to describe the Board’s intended policies and practices for managing the Watershed. The Board posted their proposed Management Plan and requested public comment.  

Arch Cape Community members developed and distributed a Survey as a way to capture public comments from Arch Cape rate payers and property owners on the Board’s plan for Public Access & Recreation and on the Financial Management of the Watershed.

Below is an ‘Executive Summary’ and a set of charts that present the perspectives of the Community from the Survey. A more complete and formal ‘Public Comments’ report was sent to the Board that contains this information along with individual comments that were submitted. Click here for the report sent to the Board.

Executive Summary

A.  Public Access: 

Based upon the results of the Community Survey, rate payers and property owners of Arch Cape request that;

1. The Board revise the proposed Public Access section of the Multi-Resource Management Plan so that it restricts Public Access and Recreation to OUTSIDE of the Source Water Protection Area and does not allow e-bikes.
2. The Board consider the 32 individual public comments that were submitted.
3. The Board direct that further Committee work be used to determine if horseback riding and hunting will be allowed, and a revised version of the Management Plan can be submitted to ODF/FLP, if required, at a later time.

B.  Financial Management:

Based upon the results of the Community Survey, rate payers and property owners of Arch Cape request that;

1. Immediately, the Board develop the financial controls and reporting to show the current operating costs that are being incurred and how they are being / will be paid.
2. Within the next 6 months, the Board develop a reasonable 10-year operating plan / financial plan with 2 scenarios; a logging scenario and a no-logging scenario;
3. In both 10-year scenarios, identify how any operating costs shortfalls are to be addressed.
4. The Board gather feedback from Arch Cape rate payers and property owners about which scenario to pursue and then formalize the operating/financial plan using that scenario.
5. The Board consider the 30 individual public comments that were submitted.

Charts

A.  Public Access: 

1.   There was very strong agreement (79%) that the Source Water Protection Area of the Watershed should NOT be open to public access and recreation.

2.   There was strong agreement to limit recreational activities in order to protect the quality of the source drinking.

3. No Respondent wanted Public Access & Recreation in the Watershed to be Publicized or Promoted in any Way.

B.  Financial Management:

1.   There was almost unanimous agreement (90%) that a 10-year financial plan with a logging and a no-logging scenario be developed.

2.   Arch Cape rate payers and lot owners are split between whether or not to log.  Individual comments note that the information from the 10-year financial plan is required to make a more informed decision.

3.   Different alternative payment methods are acceptable to different Arch Cape rate payers and lot owners.  Individual comments note that the information from the 10-year financial plan is required to make a more informed decision.