Big changes coming to trails west of Bend: USFS plans miles of new trails, reroutes and removal of unauthorized trails

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes National Forest has signed the final decision for the West Bend Trails Project. This project is located on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District west of Bend.

The goal of the West Bend Trails Project is to provide quality trail-based recreation opportunities for trail users of all experience levels while minimizing disturbance and negative impacts to other resources. Public comments were sought last March on the initial plans, now finalized.

"We anticipate work will begin in the next two years," forest spokeswoman Kaitlyn Webb told KTVZ Tuesday.

The forest said the final decision includes rerouting about 8.8 miles of trails, constructing about 17.5 miles of new trails, Travel Management actions on about 33.3 miles of system roads and decommissioning of about 17 miles of unauthorized trails.

"These actions will provide better trail connectivity, improve confusing trail intersections, reduce visitor conflict, and provide additional types of trail opportunities," the announcement said. "Additionally, decommissioning of unauthorized trails will reduce disturbance effects to wildlife and the potential for illegal activity affecting winter shelters and trails."

Specific details about this decision can be viewed with an interactive map here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b74242b5ab504fec821dda37081741f9.

The project area includes areas parallel to Forest Service Road 4601 (also known as Skyliner Road) from the Forest boundary to the west side of Tumalo Lake, areas parallel to Cascade Lakes Highway from the Forest Boundary to the Vista Butte parking area, areas near Kiwa Butte, FSR 4613, and FSR 4133, and near the Deschutes River along FSR 4100-292.

The final Environmental Assessment and Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact can be viewed on the Deschutes National Forest website here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/deschutes/?project=65732.

Members of the public may also contact Emilie Bedard, NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Planner, at emilie.bedard@usda.gov for questions about the project.

For more information about the West Bend Trails Project final decision, please reach out to the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541) 383-5300.