About two dozen area residents attended an Aug. 22, 2011 neighborhood meeting presented by the SROA board-appointed River Access Panel to unveil and discuss proposed plans for an improved watercraft hand-launch site near Harper Bridge.
This is the first of several meetings that will seek ideas and input from owners as the proposal moves along.
“We want to look at this project much like we did with the Group Mackenzie process for SHARC,” said Gary Knox, SROA board director and panel member. “We want to present plans and meet with owners over and over again.”
The issue of launching watercraft on the Deschutes River boiled to a head in 2009 after Sunriver Resort — citing liability concerns — decided to close boat/watercraft launching at the marina on River Road to all but Resort guests.
Long used by Sunriver-area residents, completely closing the access site was unacceptable to the Sunriver Owners Association.
SROA negotiated a three-year contract with the Resort to allow marina access to owners and guests. The deal provided SROA the time to come up with a permanent solution for river access.
The SROA board formed a River Access Panel to research and identify potential access locations, focusing on the primitive launch site near Harper Bridge. The approximately 3-acre common area is zoned for “community recreation.”
“We decided to get serious about river access,” said Scott Hall, SROA board director and panel member. “But this is not a rehash of the marina project proposed here four years ago.”
What is being proposed is a far cry from what was presented in 2007, and quite low-key by comparison. There will be no paved road, asphalt parking lot, sea of concrete or lighting. The new proposal will impose much less impact on the natural environment and nearby neighbors.
The panel group has identified five significant issues that need addressing:
1. Relocate existing wood fence along Spring River Road.
Following a topographic survey it was determined that Sunriver’s property line was incorrect. The fence would be pushed as much as 20 feet closer to Spring River Road.
2. Clean up site and establish designated parking.
Overall cleanup and restoration of vegetation throughout the area. Nine gravel parking slots (one handicap) are proposed in the new plan.
3. Isolate SROA and Sunriver Water properties and create a new access lane.
Sunriver Water owns the property where river floaters currently park and unload their watercraft — often creating a hazard by blocking the gravel road and forcing other vehicles to park on commons and along roads. Because the Sunriver Water property is “technically” private, those who park there are doing so illegally. Common and roadside parking is also prohibited under Sunriver Rules & Regulations. A new gravel access lane would be created just south of the current pull-in location. Fencing would be installed to delineate Sunriver Water property from SROA commons.
4. Reinforce riverbank sidewalls adjacent to carry-in launch ramp.
Area adjacent to launch pad would be restored and cordoned off to prohibit further degradation of the riverbank.
5. Install articulated concrete mat on existing carry-in dirt ramp.
A concrete launch pad would inhibit further river-edge damage.
Project cost
As proposed, the entire project cost is estimated at $100,000 to $120,000, but could be less, depending on what is actually done.
“We’re not sure when any of this can happen, but we need to keep moving forward,” said Hall. “There will be cost issues involved. We’re moving into a budgeting cycle and hope to get on the financing folks’ radar.”
The project is currently known as “Settlers’ Crossing,” a name derived from early settlers and ranchers who, in 1909, crossed this section of the Deschutes River via the long-gone John Peters Bridge (just north of Harper Bridge) to reach grazing areas near Crane Prairie.
“We found evidence in The Bulletin that the bridge existed, but we’re not sure what happened to it,” said Herb Dix, River Access Panel chair.
Owner input
There was little criticism of the plan as initially presented but for a few detail items such as restricting the site to only owners and their guests. Some questions or comments voiced by owners also included:
• Portable toilet at the site (some are for, some against)
• Access to owners and guests only (ie: via gate/swipe card)
• Hand launching only (no trailers is a concern for less physically capable owners)
• Concrete articulating launch ramp must be covered with rubber mat to prevent damage to watercraft
• Parking (some want more, some want less)
• Install berms, hardscape and signage along new fence line to deter access from Spring River Road
• Designating additional takeout locations in conjunction with the project
• Install kiosk/signage that will include float times and distances to takeouts
• Create public awareness of other public launch sites
• Potential for enhancements to the Spring River Road south side public launch site
The biggest issue with the project is the potential public impact. Moving Sunriver’s property line fence will essentially block the general public from launching any watercraft from the Sunriver side of Spring River Road. Public access will still be available on the south (or Crosswater) side of the road.
One attendee raised concerns that “when you take something away from people they’ve had for a long time you’re going to make some people angry.”
“We’re taking that into account and we’re busy trying to figure out how to take care of our own property first, but we’ll continue to work with the county on that,” said Hugh Palcic, SROA assistant general manager.
To submit your comments, ideas and receive emails about future
meetings and/or progress on this project, click HERE.
To view a clearer file of the proposed access plan, click HERE to download a pdf. |
