Bend dog owners who want more access to groomed ski trails will have a chance to share their perspective with the Forest Service and other winter trail users this week at an open house aimed at airing some of the access issues. While there are no official proposals on the table, off-leash proponents lead by Bend-based DogPAC have been pushing the Forest Service to ease restrictions north of the Cascade Lakes Highway in an area that has been off limit to dogs, unless by special permit, since the 1980s and is presently reserved for Nordic skiers.
While dogs are permitted off-leash in other areas of the Deschutes National Forest, including the trail systems around Wanoga and Edison Sno Parks, dog owners must share those trails with snowmobiles, creating the potential for conflict. DogPAC has argued that its members and other dog owners would be better suited to non-motorized trails.
They have proposed adding several new miles of groomed trail on the Nordeen plateau, which dog owners would access through trough the Swampy Lakes Sno Park. The Forest Service has not yet offered an official position on the working proposal. However, it’s a sensitive issue with existing trail users because of the limited number of non-motorized trail miles in the winter trail networks closest to Bend. The Central Oregon Nordic Club, which currently maintains the Nordeen Loop as part of the un-groomed trail network, has already submitted a formal statement opposing the change. The Tumalo Langlauf Club, which maintains the groomed network under an agreement with the Forest Service, would be responsible for maintaining the Nordeen Loop should the Forest Service agree to the proposed change. The club, however, has not yet taken a formal position on DogPAC’s initiative.
The open house could be the first step in resolving some of the issues, or solidifying the status quo. The Forest Service has said it is interested in hearing from all users at the open house and hopefully heading off some of the conflicts now, before the start of the winter season.
The open house is scheduled to begin 5 p.m. Thursday night at the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation building, 799 SW Columbia St.
This article appears in Nov 11-17, 2010.
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Here’s a suggestion…Keep the government out of every corner of our lives. Next up…government holds town hall meeting on wiping front to back or back to front.
I agree with you 100 percent marco. I think that it would create more problems than anything else with nordic skiers not wanting to see dogs running around. But govt. should stay out of our lives more than they try to control it. I am a dog owner and don’t want the govt telling me where he or I can go or not go without a fine, especially in winter!
Since I am a respecter of the Rule of Law and appreciate individual rights and liberty, there is a case for dogs to be leashed. It also speaks to personal responsibility to have ultimate control over the pets/dogs at all times because unleashed dogs create problems, attack other dogs and people. If you want your dogs to be unleased then keep them in your home or fenced yard. In reality, humans should spend more time with other humans and not dogs for a better society.
I recently relocated to Oregon to live a better life and raise my young family away from everyday violence and termoil. I am surprised at all the grumpy people living in the Bend area. Every issue is seemingly blown out of proportion and opinions run rampid. I think if your dog is good, under voice command, and most important if you clean up after them religously. Walk them were you want in the woods. I probably would not take them around snowmobiles. I ride and ride hard and fast most of the time on my sled and the potential is too great for an accident. I also cross country ski and woul’dnt mind being able to safely take my 2 dogs along without the threat of a fine. Bend is a dog lovers heaven for the most part, let’s keep it that way. Dog owners be responsible and grumpsters stay on the couch were you belong. In America we love our canine friends!
Most humans are not worth spending time with. I’d rather spend time with my dog as he is better company than most people.
If you want to know who your true friends are, lock your dog up for 2 hours in a cage and then try that with your wife (or husband) and see who is happier to see you when you let them out.
Unleashed dogs do not cause problems. It’s the idiots that do not train their dogs properly. It’s just like guns – guns don’t kill people, people kill people.
There should be places where I can take my very friendly dog and not get a ticket while out playing. Conversely there should be places where I can’t take him and people that don’t want to see dogs should stay in those places.
Winston, maybe we should keep you in a fenced yard or in the house your entire life unless your wife has you on a leash and see how well you like that.
This is typical government entity and its protocol to generate fees and a job for someone in the organization.
First, debate an issue.
Second, make a rule.
Third, generate fees in terms of licenses and fines.
Fourth, create a position for more agents to enforce the rule.
Fifth,Create a whole entity with a budget and little oversight to control the population and uphold its standards.
Once the gov puts things to a public forum, this issue has already been decided upon. The forum is a typical government CYA (Cover your ASS) move. It has already been decided. Someone already has the paying position as “dog enforcer” in the woods this winter. Get ready to pay up dog owners.
tim, dogs are currently prohibited from the area being discussed and you can be fined for having your dog off leash. The debate is about whether or not to open it up to dogs off leash, therefore less fees and enforcement.
Reading comprehension is fun.
The problem is not govt. Its with idiots that abuse the rules. the last thing I want to see is a bunch of dog crap on my windshield or broke beer bottles that my dog tears his foot on. Saw a bow hunter and a rifle hunter on the hunt on the hiking trails next to the entrada lodge last month. Its people like that why you need govt.