BLM, Waibel Ranches reach deal to end Teaters Road closure dispute

The Bureau of Land Management Prineville District Office and Waibel Ranches, LLC, announced Tuesday they have worked out a solution to last year’s closure of Teaters Road that will restore public access from Highway 380 (the Paulina Highway) north to the North Fork Crooked River area and the Ochoco National Forest.

“Under the mutually acceptable resolution, Waibel Ranches, LLC has offered to build a new, high-quality road to the west of Teaters Road, solely on private property and at its own expense,” the joint statement said.

“The new road will be donated to Crook County upon completion. Once accepted by the county, the road will become a Local Access Road open to the public with the same kinds of access to the BLM North Fork Crooked River area and Ochoco National Forest that Teaters Road has provided.”

While the new road is under construction, Teaters Road will remain closed to public access, in part to minimize the risk of vandalism to road construction equipment, the agency said.

However, if the new road is not complete and open to the public by August 10, , Teaters Road will be opened for public use from that date through Nov. 30, to allow access to BLM and Forest Service lands to the north during fall hunting season.

Teaters Road would be closed again after Nov. 30, while road construction continues. If the new road is still not complete and open by Aug. 1 of 2017, though, Teaters Road would be opened again for public use until the new road is complete and available for public use.

“These dates could change; however, if there is evidence of poaching, trespass, or vandalism on Waibel Ranch lands adjacent to Teaters Road while the gates are open, and the parties jointly agree that the damage warrants closure of the gates,” the statement said.

Throughout this time, Waibel Ranches, LLC, has indicated it will allow the use of Teaters Road for emergency purposes or BLM administrative access at any time, the agency said.

“The BLM and Waibel Ranches, LLC, appreciate the public’s patience while they have been working out this path forward,” Tuesday’s statement said.

“The public is asked to continue to be respectful of private property rights and to report to authorities any suspicious activity or witnessed vandalism to the Waibel Ranches property.”

You can find the full motion filed in U.S. District Court to stay legal proceedings pending this joint resolution of the matter online here (Adobe Acrobat PDF).

You can find more information about the Prineville District at: www.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville