Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Bureau of Land Management is developing recreation plans for the middle portion of the Sandy River west of Mt. Hood.   As  Pete Springer reports, the public is encouraged to comment on the plans.

The BLM is holding two public meetings this week -- one in Portland and one just west of Welches on Mt. Hood -- to gather public comments about how visitors should be able to use the Sandy River basin.

Zach Jarrett is an outdoor recreation planner with the BLM.

He says one of the areas under consideration as a recreation site is around the old Marmot Dam, which was removed last year.

Zach Jarrett: “All the way from full-blown overnight camping opportunities to -- on the more conservation end of things -- looking at just providing kayakers access to the river with some amenities, picnic facilities and some non-motorized trails.”

The BLM manages over 14,000 acres of land in the Sandy River Basin. 

The agency plans to release a final management plan for the area in early fall.