The Sunriver Owners Association has filed documents with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) for certification of most Sunriver properties under the Oregon Forestland Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997 (Act).
The Act allows the state to collect up to $100,000 in suppression costs from a landowner if a wildfire originates on an owner's property, the fire spreads, and ODF incurs exceptional costs for suppression. As part of this Act, ODF set up property evaluation and compliance standards for property owners. A property owner evaluates their property for wildfire risk and then takes steps necessary to reduce that risk (and comply with the Act). When the steps are completed, the homeowner may then certify their property to show they have complied.
In other parts of Deschutes County, homeowners may self-certify their property. In Sunriver, the SROA Environmental Services Department performs this duty for homeowners. Last year, the SROA signed an agreement with ODF to perform administrative duties for certification. SROA Environmental Services staff are Type III Accredited Assessors, with authority to state-certify only within Sunriver. The Sunriver Ladder Fuels Reduction Plan (LFR) serves as an alternative plan and set of standards for requirements under the Act. At this time, the Act applies only to improved properties. However, the LFR applies to both improved and vacant properties.
Each fall, the Environmental Services staff inspects all Sunriver properties for LFR and state compliance. Individual homeowners are notified in the spring of any concerns. If an owner is notified, they may receive a courtesy letter or notice of deficiency. During the summer, the staff continues to inspect properties of concern for compliance. With the arrival of fall, SROA provides ODF with an updated list of improved properties that pass state certification and those that do not.
It is important to note that although a property may meet Sunriver LFR and state certification standards this year, the property may not the following year due to vegetation growth and other changes.
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