The Deschutes National Forest (DNF) plans to reconstruct approximately 3.5 miles of Forest Service Road (FSR) 18 this year.
Depending on weather conditions, work may begin as soon as June and is expected to conclude by October 2024. Both lanes of traffic will be closed while work is being done between the Forest boundary and FSR 1810 (Bessie Butte Road) to provide for public safety. While work is ongoing, areas on both sides of FSR 18 will be inaccessible to vehicle traffic.
The condition of FSR 18 is deteriorating, and reconstruction will improve driving safety. FSR 18 is also a high-use road which provides primary access to public lands for recreation, resource management and wildfire response. Additionally, FSR 18 is the primary access road and timber haul route for thinning, mowing and mastication and prescribed burning operations within the 25,804-acre Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project south of Bend.
The DNF is aware of areas of existing encampments where vehicle access from FSR 18 will be closed off during construction. Recent media reports have stated this construction effort will require that homeless and houseless encampments in the area be removed. At this time, the only anticipated action is a closure of FSR 18. Removal of camps is not expected to be needed to complete this work. Forest Service staff, along with partners, will work to notify these camps well in advance of the construction so that individuals in those camps can take proper measures to avoid being cut off once the work commences.
As the implementation of mechanical fuels reduction and prescribed fire continues in the Cabin Butte Project area, camps will likely need to be relocated to allow for that work to occur over the next several years. The DNF will work with partners and communicate the timing and location of that work so that the fuels reduction work can be fully completed in the area.
The Forest recognizes the impacts that homeless and houseless encampments have on forest visitors and those who live near the DNF boundary. Houselessness in our National Forests is not an isolated problem but part of a broader societal issue that spans across city, county, state and federal jurisdictions. It requires a united, community-focused approach, recognizing that no single entity can address this challenge in isolation.
“DNF staff remain focused on meeting our natural resource conservation mission,” said Forest Supervisor Holly Jewkes. “We remain committed to working within the legal authorities provided to our employees to enforce our laws, regulations and policies, while respecting the human dignity of those individuals who are experiencing homelessness and houselessness.”
The Forest will continue to provide updates on the road reconstruction and Cabin Butte projects as the implementation timelines are finalized.
