Eugene District Aquatic and Riparian Restoration Activities

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Eugene District Aquatic and Riparian Restoration Activities Environmental Assessment for Eugene District Aquatic and Riparian Restoration Activities Environmental Assessment # DOI-BLM-OR-090-2009-0009-EA U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT EUGENE DISTRICT 2010 U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Eugene District Office 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E Eugene, Oregon 97477 Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment –including your personal identifying information –may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. In keeping with Bureau of Land Management policy, the Eugene District posts Environmental Assessments, Findings of No Significant Impact, and Decision Records on the district web page under Plans & Projects at www.blm.gov/or/districts/eugene. Individuals desiring a paper copy of such documents will be provided one upon request. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE - PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION I. Introduction ..................................................................................................4 II. Purpose and Need for Action ........................................................................4 III. Conformance .................................................................................................5 IV. Issues for Analysis ........................................................................................8 CHAPTER TWO - DISCUSSION OF THE ALTERNATIVES I. Actions and Design Features Common to All Alternatives……..................9 A. Description of Proposed Aquatic and Riparian Restoration Activities…9 B. Project Design Features……………………………………………… 10 II. No Action Alternative……………………………………………………..13 III. Alternative One……………………………………………………………13 IV. Alternative Two……………………………………………………………15 V. Alternative Three………………………………………………………..…16 CHAPTER THREE - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT I. Water............................................................................................................19 II. Fish Species and Aquatic Habitat………………….....................................20 III. Invasive Plants……………………………………………………………..26 V. Wildlife…………………………………………………………….………33 CHAPTER FOUR – ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS I. Water, Fish, Aquatic Habitat………………………………………............39 II. Invasive Plants…………………………….……………………………….47 III. Wildlife…………………………………………………………………….57 CHAPTER FIVE – TRIBES, INDIVIDUALS, ORGRANIZATIONS, OR AGENCIES CONSULTED I. Agencies, Organizations, and Persons Consulted ........................................62 II. Public Notification .......................................................................................62 III. State, County, and Local Government Agencies .........................................63 IV. Public Comment Period ...............................................................................63 CHAPTER SIX – LIST OF PREPARERS .........................................................64 CHAPTER SEVEN – REFERENCES………………………………………….65 APPENDIX A – AQUATIC CONSERVATION STRATEGY………………..73 APPENDIX B – FISHERIES ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY…………...77 APPENDIX C – INVASIVE PLANTS…………………………………………..84 APPENDIX D – WILDLIFE……………………….............................................111 3 CHAPTER ONE - PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION I. Introduction The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to complete a variety of aquatic and riparian habitat restoration activities on BLM-administered lands and non-BLM-administered lands within the Eugene District and identify watersheds that would have the highest priority for restoration. Given the checkerboard land ownership pattern, restricted ownership in certain watersheds, and limited resources, the BLM recognizes that aquatic restoration cannot be accomplished exclusively by the BLM-administered lands. As such, the BLM partners with other federal agencies (such as the Willamette National Forest), state agencies (such as Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality), private timber companies, watershed councils and other non-profit organizations to accomplish watershed restoration. Such partnering may include funding or cost-sharing and/or contributions of expertise, materials, or equipment, and may contribute to aquatic restoration work occurring on non-BLM-administered land. This EA considers projects on BLM-administered lands and projects on private lands where the BLM has provided either full funding or partial funding as a partnering agency. II. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this action is to use aquatic and riparian restoration activities identified in the National Marine Fisheries Service Fish Habitat Consultation for Fish Habitat Restoration Activities in Oregon and Washington Biological Opinion (2008/03506) (ARBO) to improve aquatic and riparian habitat on BLM-administered lands and non-BLM-administered lands, and to prioritize watersheds where aquatic and restoration activities would be emphasized. Project activities would include: Large Wood, Boulder, and Gravel Placement Fish Passage Culvert and Bridge Projects Reconnection of Existing side Channels and Alcove Head-cut Stabilization and Associated Fish Passage Streambank Restoration Reduction of Recreation Impacts Riparian vegetation treatments (non-commercial thinning, mechanical treatments, does not include hardwood conversions) Riparian Area Invasive Plant Treatment Riparian Exclusion Fencing Road Treatments The need for action has been established through the results of aquatic habitat inventories, monitoring, and watershed analysis which indicate that the current condition of many stream channels and riparian areas on BLM-administered lands and non-BLM-administered lands within the Eugene District are not properly functioning. 4 There is also an opportunity to prioritize watersheds in order to focus restoration in areas with the highest priority. Priority watersheds would be identified where restoration would have a greater benefit to fish species and aquatic habitat. Restoration activities could be emphasized in these watersheds, but would not be limited to these watersheds since other factors may determine where restoration would occur (funding, logistics, partnerships, etc). Decision To Be Made The BLM will decide whether to adopt an aquatic and riparian restoration strategy where future aquatic and riparian restoration activities would be emphasized in watersheds identified as having higher priority for fish. This EA is programmatic in nature, and analyzes the effects of watershed restoration activities within the Eugene District based upon years of professional experience, review of available literature, and consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because this analysis is broad-scale in nature and covers a variety of restoration actions, this EA does not list every discrete, site-specific proposed action that may occur. The programmatic analysis limits the amount of site-specific detail within the analysis, instead relying on project design features to reduce or avoid impacts to different resources. This EA is intended to analyze actions in sufficient detail so that we could implement many of the specific restoration actions without additional NEPA analysis, following an eventual decision on the restoration plan. We would implement each specific restoration action (or group of related actions) under the eventual restoration plan with its own Decision Record, prior to which we would conduct a “Determination of NEPA Adequacy” (DNA) to determine whether additional NEPA analysis would be necessary. The DNA itself is not a NEPA document, but is merely an interim step in the BLM internal analysis process. Where site-specific conditions differ, or circumstances change, from those described in the EA, or if a DNA is inappropriate for other reasons, we may need to conduct additional NEPA analysis prior to reaching a decision to implement specific restoration actions. However, such instances would be expected to be the exception. The public would generally receive notice of pending decisions through the District Quarterly Planning Update preceding the specific restoration actions. Specific project locations and site-specific design features would be described at that time. III. Conformance All action alternatives analyzed in this EA would be in conformance with the 1995 Eugene District Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan (ROD/RMP), as amended. The 1995 Eugene District Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan (ROD/RMP), as amended, incorporated the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, a component of the Northwest Forest Plan, to guide the District in meeting watershed restoration objectives, including but not limited to: Maintain and restore the physical integrity of the aquatic system, including shorelines, banks, and bottom configurations. 5 Maintain and restore water quality necessary to support healthy riparian, aquatic, and wetland ecosystems. Water quality must remain in the range that maintains the biological, physical, and chemical integrity of the system and benefits survival, growth, reproduction, and migration of individuals composing aquatic and riparian communities. Maintain and restore the sediment regime under which an aquatic ecosystem evolved. Elements of the sediment regime include the timing, volume, rate, and character
Recommended publications
  • Willamette Basin Review Feasibility Study
    US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District Willamette Basin Review Feasibility Study DRAFT Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment November 2017 Willamette Basin Review Feasibility Study Executive Summary The Willamette River basin is located entirely within the state of Oregon, beginning south of Cottage Grove, and extending approximately 187 miles to the north where the Willamette River flows into the Columbia River. The basin is more than 11,200 square miles, averages 75 miles in width, and encompasses approximately 12 percent of the total area of the state (Figure ES-1). Within the watershed are most of the state’s population (nearly 70 percent), larger cities, and major industries. The basin also contains some of Oregon’s most productive agricultural lands and supports nationally and regionally important fish and wildlife species. Thirteen of Oregon’s thirty-six counties intersect or lie within the boundary of the Willamette River basin. Through a series of Flood Control Acts the U.S. Congress authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to construct, operate, and maintain thirteen major dams1 in the Willamette River basin. Collectively, these dams, reservoirs and associated infrastructure are known as the Willamette Valley Project (WVP). With a combined conservation storage capacity of approximately 1,590,000 acre-feet, the WVP is capable of providing important benefits for flood damage reduction, navigation, hydropower, irrigation, municipal and industrial water supply, flow augmentation for pollution abatement and improved conditions for fish and wildlife, and recreation. Feasibility Study History The Willamette Basin Review Feasibility Study began in 1996 to investigate future Willamette River basin water demand.
    [Show full text]
  • Oakridge-Westfir Community Trails Plan
    Oakridge-Westfir Community Trails Plan The Oakridge-Westfir Community Trails Committee and the Oakridge-Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program Table of Contents Table of Contents........................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments........................................................................................................ iii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1 Planning Process .......................................................................................................... 3 Purpose .....................................................................................................................................................................3 Steps in the Trails Plan Process ................................................................................................................................3 Community Involvement ..........................................................................................................................................4 Background and History............................................................................................... 6 Economic Development................................................................................................ 7 Benefits of Non- Motorized Trails ...............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Response to Watershed Analysis Amendment Request
    Upper Middle Fork Watershed Analysis Update Response to the Watershed Analysis Amendment Request Listed below are analysis and responses provided by the Middle Fork District to issues/concerns listed in the U.S.D.I. Fish and Wildlife Service November, 1996. In this portion of the analysis amendment, the original issue is listed, as stated by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Following this, the key question and issue from the 1996 Watershed Analysis is stated. Below each key question is the scientific, analytical, and professional response to these issues. In some cases the issue presented by the Fish and Wildlife Service do not related to the key issues presented in the original watershed analysis. In these situations a new key question is developed. For the most part, the original key questions are still valid with minor changes. Listed below are the eleven aquatic habitat condition concerns. Eleven Listed Aquatic Concerns 1. Identify and map important bull trout rearing and spawning habitat, as well as current and future re-introduction sites, and potential future distribution down to Hills Creek Reservoir – if this information is known or available. Functional Relationship – Bull Trout Habitat Historical references indicate that bull trout Salvelinus confluentus in Oregon were once distributed throughout 12 basins in the Klamath River and Columbia River systems. Bull trout were probably found throughout the Willamette Basin, however available documentation is limited (Buchanan et al. 1997). Bull trout in the upper Middle Fork Willamette Watershed likely ranged throughout the mainstem Middle Fork Willamette and associated larger tributaries (Figure 1-1, Historic Bull Trout Distribution Map).
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 5 State(S): Oregon Recovery Unit Name: Willamette River
    Chapter 5 State(s): Oregon Recovery Unit Name: Willamette River Recovery Unit Region 1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Portland, Oregon DISCLAIMER Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed necessary to recover and protect listed species. Plans are prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and, in this case, with the assistance of recovery unit teams, contractors, State and Tribal agencies, and others. Objectives will be attained and any necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. Recovery plans do not necessarily represent the views or the official positions or indicate the approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the plan formulation, other than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Recovery plans represent the official position of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service only after they have been signed by the Director or Regional Director as approved. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new findings, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery tasks. Literature Cited: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2002. Chapter 5, Willamette River Recovery Unit, Oregon. 96 p. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) Draft Recovery Plan. Portland, Oregon. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Two working groups are active in the Willamette River Recovery Unit: the Upper Willamette (since 1989) and Clackamas Bull Trout Working Groups. In 1999, these groups were combined, and, along with representation from the Santiam subbasin, comprise the Willamette River Recovery Unit Team.
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Report Willamette National Forest Fiscal Year 2011
    AUGUST 2011 United States Department of Agriculture Monitoring and Forest Service Evaluation Report Pacific Northwest Region Willamette National Forest Fiscal Year 2011 Ames Creek, Sweet Home, Oregon i AUGUST 2011 ii AUGUST 2011 Welcome to the 2011 Willamette National Forest annual Monitoring and Evaluation report. This is our 23th year implementing the 1990 Willamette National Forest Plan, and this report is intended to give you an update on the services and products we provide. Our professionals monitor a wide variety of forest resources and have summarized their findings for your review. As I reviewed the Forest Plan Monitoring Report I got an opportunity to see the work our specialists are doing in one place and I can’t help but share my appreciation with what the Willamette’s resource specialists are accomplishing. I am overwhelmed by the effort our professionals are doing to get the work done and complete necessary monitoring under declining budgets. Our specialists have entered into partnerships, written grants, and managed volunteers in addition to working with numerous local and federal agencies. We are in the community and hope you enjoying the forests. I invite you to read this year’s report and contact myself or my staff with any questions, ideas, or concerns you may have. I appreciate your continued interest in the Willamette National Forest. Sincerely, MEG MITCHELL Forest Supervisor Willamette National Forest r6-will-009-11 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
    [Show full text]
  • Eugene, Cascades & Coast Adventure Guide
    adventureawaits ADVENTURE GUIDE GO! Oregon Skyway by Stacey Malstrom Bring this in for 20% off a single retail item. adventuresreal Oregon souvenirs, local beer & wine and more. One coupon per visit. ADVG-1 Eugene, Cascades & Coast Adventure Center 3312 Gateway St, Springfield real close I-5 & Beltline, Exit 195A Contents Map of all routes 2-3 Oregon Coast 4-5 Hwys 36&126 6-7 wine country 8-9 Cottage Grove 10-11 willamette River paths 12-13 Urban Parks & Trails 14-15 parks galore 16-17 Hwy 58 18-19 Aufderheide 20-21 McKenzie River 22-23 Resources 24-25 Oregon Rules & Regulations 26-27 Oregon Skyway by Stacey Malstrom Discover boundless adventure in easy-to-reach, uncrowded Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Centers places fi lled with natural beauty. Slow down, unwind and Adventure Center Travel Lane County immerse yourself in the splendor of rushing rivers, old- 3312 Gateway St, Springfi eld, OR PO Box 10286 Eugene OR 97440 growth forests, ocean beaches and snow-capped peaks. Downtown Eugene Whether you’re a novice or an expert, there’s something for 541.484.5307 754 Olive St, Eugene,Real OR 800.547.5445 close (U.S. & Canada) every skill level. And the best part? It’s easy to pack a lot of [email protected] fun into a single day. How about an adventure… TravelLaneCounty.org • Watching whales migrating along the • Relaxing at a rustic campsite, Information in this guide was gathered from numerous sources. To the best of our Oregon Coast or birds gliding along riverside retreat, or luxury bed and knowledge, all information was accurate at the time of publication, but information the Pacifi c Flyway breakfast is subject to change.
    [Show full text]
  • Middle Fork Complex Northwest Incident Management Team 9 (IC Brian Goff)
    Middle Fork Complex Northwest Incident Management Team 9 (IC Brian Goff) Middle Fork Complex Statistics Total Acres: 596 Email: [email protected] Containment: 5% Phone: 541-625-0849 Personnel: 360 Hours: 8am-6pm Date of Ignition: 07/29/2021 InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7745 Cause of Fires: Under Investigation Facebook: @middleforkcomplex Structures Threatened: 0 Injuries: 0 Fire Update: Monday, August 2, 2021 Aircraft: 3 Dozers: 1 Engines:14 Fire information: Twelve individual fires make up the Middle Fork Complex, with six fires at 100% containment. Five fires make up the northwest section of the Middle Fork complex. The Gales Creek Fire is located south of the Forest Road 18 near the 1835 road. The fire is 400-acres with 0% containment. Firefighters continue a strategic evaluation for opportunities to contain the fire. Heavy equipment will be used to remove vegetation along the 1824 road. Firefighters are implementing checking actions to keep fire south of the 220 Road and move resources to the six-acre Elephant Rock Fire, which is approximately two miles to the southeast. On the 27-acre Ninemile Fire, engines worked along the 1834 Road and will be constructing lines to keep the fire as small as possible. Crews will monitor and patrol the Journey and Symbol Rock Fires, each at 0.1 acre and both at 100% containment. The 78-acre Kwis Fire is the closest fire to Oakridge and is located south of Forest Road 24 near Salmon Creek. The challenge containing the Kwis fire has been burning material rolling past control lines.
    [Show full text]
  • Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Hills Creek Reservoir
    Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Hills Creek Reservoir by R. C. Scheidt and ihl J. L. Nichols Water Resources Research Institute Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon WRRI-50 November 1976 PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICA L CHARACTERISTICS OF HILLS CREEK RESERVOI R A SUMMARY REPOR T R . C . Scheidt Water Resources Research Institut e an d J . L . Nichol s Department of Botany Water Resources Research Institut e Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon 9733 1 October 1976 ABSTRACT Physicochemical and biological variations in Hills Creek Reservoir , Oakridge, Oregon and physicochemical characteristics of influent tributarie s and effluent water were investigated weekly from mid-May 1975 to mid-Februar y 1976 . Lotic and limnetic parameters measured were ammonia, nitrite, nitrate , soluble orthophosphate, suspended solids, turbidity, conductivity, pH, an d water temperature . Insolation, tributary flows, reservoir algal populations , and reservoir dissolved oxygen were also measured . In late spring and summer a strong, shallow metalimnion develops in th e reservoir between 12 m to 20 m water depth . Biological debris or potentia l "recyclable" nutrients in the epilimnion are wind-rafted and mixed with down - welling Willamette River water . The result is that biological activity i s restricted to a shallow, nutrient poor epilimnion . The disappearance of the metalimnion in late fall results in a uniforml y turbid reservoir and uniform soluble orthophosphate concentrations at al l depths . However, nitrogenous nutrient concentrations vary in an unpredictabl e manner due to different degrees of decay and oxidation . Also during this time clear, cold Willamette River water enters the main pool at all depths . The exception is during a major storm when the Willamette River increases it s suspended load and becomes very turbid .
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2018 to 06/30/2018 Willamette National Forest This Report Contains the Best Available Information at the Time of Publication
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2018 to 06/30/2018 Willamette National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact R6 - Pacific Northwest Region, Regionwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Region) Regional Aquatic Restoration - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:09/2018 09/2018 James Capurso Project - Watershed management Scoping Start 12/11/2017 503-808-2847 EA Est. Comment Period Public [email protected] Notice 05/2018 Description: The USFS is proposing a suite of aquatic restoration activities for Region 6 to address ongoing needs, all of which have completed consultation, including activities such as fish passage restoration, wood placement, and other restoration activities. Web Link: https:/data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=53001 Location: UNIT - R6 - Pacific Northwest Region All Units. STATE - Oregon, Washington. COUNTY - Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima, Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney,
    [Show full text]
  • Middle Fork Willamette Subbasin Fish Operations Plan MFW-I 2017
    Middle Fork Willamette Subbasin Fish Operations Plan 2017 Chapter 5 – Middle Fork Willamette Subbasin Table of Contents 1. MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE SUB-BASIN OVERVIEW ...................................................................... 1 2. FACILITIES ........................................................................................................................................ 8 2.1. Hills Creek Dam .............................................................................................................................. 8 2.2. Lookout Point Dam .......................................................................................................................... 9 2.3. Dexter Dam ...................................................................................................................................... 9 2.4. Fall Creek Dam .............................................................................................................................. 10 2.5. Dexter Fish Facility ........................................................................................................................ 10 2.6. Fall Creek Fish Facility .................................................................................................................. 10 3. DAM OPERATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 11 3.1. Flow Management ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Willamette National Forest Closure Order (Pdf 1680
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST ORDER # 06-18-00-20-21 FOREST ORDER OCCUPANCY AND USE Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited in the areas described in this order on National Forest System lands within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. This Order is effective on September 25, 2020 and shall be in effect until rescinded or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first. PROHIBITIONS: 1. Being on a road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e) 2. Being on a trail. 36 CFR § 261.55(a) 3. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. 36 CFR § 261.58 (b) 4. Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public health or safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e) CLOSURE DESCRIPTION: All closures are contained within the State of Oregon, and Marion, Linn, and Lane Counties, and within the Administrative Boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The closure includes the US Forest Service general forest areas, developed recreation sites, roads, trails, and recreation residence tracts (aka “summer homes”) as described below and as depicted on the attached map and incorporated into this order as “Attachment A”. The Holiday Farm Closure Area begins at the intersection of State Highway 126 and the Willamette National Forest Boundary west of McMullins Boat Ramp between Sections 1 and Section 2 in Township 17S Range 3E. It continues north following the Forest administrative boundary to its junction with State Highway 20.
    [Show full text]
  • Oakridgeoregon
    Mountain Bike Capital of the NW OAKRIDGEOREGON oakridgechamber.com 1 Welcome to Oakridge & Westfir Discover the inspiring beauty and endless recreation opportunities in the mountain community of Oakridge and Westfir, Oregon. Located less than an hour from Eugene-Springfield and the I-5 corridor, the area offers world-class mountain biking trails, hiking, water sports, fishing, festivals, winter sports, restaurants and lodging year round. Immerse yourself in the lush landscape of the Cascade Mountains. Relax on a drive along the Aufderheide Scenic Byway. Walk through towering old growth forest and witness magnificent Salt Creek Falls. Take to the singletrack trails on an exhilarating mountain bike ride or hike to a summit view of Diamond Peak. Fish the clear running currents of the Middle and North forks of the Willamette River or canoe the emerald waters of Hills Creek Lake. Above the fog and below the snow, Oakridge and Westfir offer a memorable journey into the heart of the Cascades. We Speak Oakridge We hope we are able to make your visit more enjoyable by offering local expertise in areas of recreational interest. Whether you want to know where fish are biting, the best trail for your skill level, more about local history or anything else, the people of Oakridge and We Speak Westfir are excited to share their passions with you. Photo: Salt Creek Falls is a spectacular site and the second highest waterfall in Oregon. 2 WA Portland Eugene Bend ID ★Oakridge Crater Lake Medford CA The Mountain Bike Capital of the NW Mountain bikers from far and wide put Oakridge on their list of “must- ride” venues.
    [Show full text]