Some common ground found on "D-Bug" debate

Conservationists pushing for additional protections for roadless backcountry so thinning near communities can proceed.

Both sides of a controversial project concerning the so-called “D-Bug” forest thinning project in the Diamond Lake and Lemolo Lake area seemed to agree on one point — it is time to get something done.

Since 2007, members of the U.S. Forest Service, conservation groups and concerned citizens have been collaborating through field trips and open meetings, such as the one held Friday, to try and, quite literally, find common ground.

The need for thinning, logging and other forest management techniques are needed in the area due to widespread activity of the pine beetle, which is killing trees and setting the stage for a large-scale wildfire.

Beetle damage and fire are natural cycles of the forest, Diamond Lake District Ranger Bill Gamble said. But, the problem lies with the homes, resorts, public recreation areas and RV parks which would be put in harm's way if such a fire were to occur.

“While past suppression efforts have proved successful, we are one ignition away on a high fire-risk day from experiencing a large wildfire,” Gamble said in a meeting introduction. “It truly is not a question of ‘if' but ‘when' this will happen. As the land managers responsible for this area, we would be remiss in not addressing the risk and hazards to the people and infrastructure.”

Environmental groups, such as Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands and Umpqua Watersheds, agree with the need for forest management in the area to protect homes and businesses. However, they believe the logging project should be scaled back as not to interfere with back country roadless areas.

At Friday's meeting, the Forest Service unveiled its current “working alternative” which they said takes into account both concerns about environmental impact and the need for a fortified evacuation route and structure protection.

A “citizens alternative” was also on display — showing 3,800 acres of common ground between the maps, but nearly 5,000 acres still up for debate.

So debate was what they did, mixing into groups and rolling up sleeves to mark on sets of maps dispersed on tabletops throughout the Douglas County Library's Ford Community Room.

The Forest Service passed out comment cards to the almost 30 attendees, asking which elements of the working alternative should be retained and changed. They asked for the sheets to be returned by next Friday so their considerations could be taken into account before the project moves forward. Organizers hope a more finalized plan can be completed in late spring of this year.

Debbie Anderson, Umpqua National Forest's environmental coordinator and planning team leader, said that the area in question is home to one of the most popular and beloved recreation areas in Southwest Oregon, with nearly 700,000 visitors a year.

“The emphasis is on working together to come up with something we can live with,” Anderson said. “We have a problem we need to solve, we have the tools to solve it and we want to work together to solve it.”

Doug Heiken, a member of Oregon Wild, said the timeline of the meeting allowed for participants to just scratch the surface of the issue. Others acknowledged their thankfulness to the Forest Service to be given the opportunity to be heard at all.

Kathy Vejtasa, a concerned citizen and recreation buff, said the working alternative has come most of the way of a marathon, but hasn't quite gotten across the finish line yet in terms of satisfying the conservation side of the debate.

Scott Lamb, owner of Lemolo Lake Resort, said he is basically happy with the alternative and was satisfied with how the project will leave the aesthetics of the land near his business.

Steve Koch, general manager at Diamond Lake Resort, said he is ready for the project to move forward as-is and that having the project “sit and wait and sit and wait is unforgivable.”

Oregon Wild member Rob Klavins agreed that the common ground aspects of the plan should move forward as to protect lives and structures before the upcoming fire season. But the acres in question should be given more time for debate, he added.

“I am encouraged. I do believe there is a lot of common ground,” Gamble said after the meeting. “I appreciate the obvious tremendous interest and passion for the area.”

• You can reach reporter Heather Morse at 541-957-4208 or by e-mail at hmorse@nrtoday.com.