Bend Park-Rec seeks state rule change to allow bike-ped crossing

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will hold a public hearing later this month in Bend to present information and take public comment on a proposed amendment to rules covering the Upper Deschutes State Scenic Waterway, to allow Bend Parks and Rec to construct a bicycle-pedestrian bridge.

The proposed amendment to Oregon Administrative Rule 736-040-0073 originated with the Bend Park and Recreation District, and would allow the district to eventually apply for permission to erect a bicycle/pedestrian bridge between river mile 172 and 174.4 as a public trail connection.

All construction within a quarter-mile of the scenic waterway, which covers 28 miles of the Deschutes River upstream (south) of Bend, involves review and a permit from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to protect the scenic and recreational value of the river.

Unlike most of Oregon’s other 19 state scenic waterways, a specific rule for the Upper Deschutes currently prevents any organization from applying to construct a crossing. Other state scenic waterways allow applications for crossings, which are then reviewed to ensure they meet scenic waterway protection standards.

The proposed change is specific to the Upper Deschutes, and would allow applications for bicycle and pedestrian crossings only.

The public meeting will be held at the Bend Park and Recreation District, 799 SW Columbia Street, Bend, OR 97702 on Wednesday, Oct. 28 , from 6-8 p.m. The meeting will include separate information presentations by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the district, followed by public testimony.

Public comment will be accepted until October 30 in writing to OPRD, ATTN: Deschutes Rulemaking, 725 Summer St. NE Suite C, Salem OR 97301, or by email to oprd.publiccomment@oregon.gov . All comments must be received by 5 p.m., October 30 .

A copy of the proposed rule text and a map of the affected area are online at http://bit.ly/deschutes-scenic