News Release
| Release Number: | 05-135 |
| Dated: | 9/28/2005 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to reclaim overgrown hiking and camping trails at Pine Meadows Campground at Cottage Grove Reservoir in Lane County.
To remove the reed canary grass that has grown over the trails, the Corps will mow, stake down geotextile weed-barrier fabric and place gravel on the trails.
A draft Environmental Assessment document addressing the trail-improvement activities is available for public review and comment. For a copy of the document, go to the Corps’ website at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pm/e, click on “Library” and then “Environmental Planning.” Copies so may be requested by calling Jim Stengle at (503) 808-4772.
Written comments, which must be received by Oct. 24, 2005, can be mailed to District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District, Portland, Attn: CENWP-PM-E, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946, or emailed directly to Stengle at james.b.stengle@usace.army.mil.
The Corps’ plan, which is explained in detail in the EA document, is to improve nine camping/hiking trails that provide access from the campgrounds to Cottage Grove Reservoir. Gravel would recreate trails that are 20 feet to 40 feet wide and from 50 feet to 200 feet long, depending on how far the trails are from the lake.
The proposed activity will not impact any wildlife species or vegetation, other than the reed canary grass.
Cottage Grove Reservoir is one of 13 multi-purpose water projects operated by the Corps in the Willamette Valley. Pine Meadows Campground is the most highly developed campground on the reservoir with 85 campsites, hot water showers, flush toilets, trailer dump station, picnic tables, campfire rings, paved roads, children’s play area, amphitheater, interpretive displays and a swim beach.
In addition to recreation, authorized purposes of the reservoir include flood damage reduction, navigation, irrigation fish and wildlife protection and water quality.