The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is seeking public comments on the application by the COID that proposes substituting a 20’-wide public easement for the Canopy Trail. This new easement can be relocated to accommodate future development; become a narrow, paved walkway between houses or fences; and could mean the destruction of the trees, canal and habitat that currently exist on the Canopy Trail. The COID created the easement in an effort to get FERC’s approval to sell the parcel that contains the Canopy Trail to a developer.

If you support preserving this scenic and natural trail, please send a comment to FERC. The deadline to submit your comment is Monday, August 28, 2023.

Please use your own words to explain why the Canopy Trail is important to you, but here are some suggested points to make in your comment:

• Why you oppose COID’s proposed 20’ easement as a replacement for the Canopy Trail:
  • The Canopy Trail was established as a public benefit necessary for COID to receive its license to operate the Siphon Power Plant; COID should not be allowed to take away this benefit to the community.
  • The proposed 20’ easement only guarantees access; it does not guarantee the scenic, recreational and environmental values as required by the original FERC license agreement.
  • The Canopy Trail offers a safe and popular connection to the Deschutes River and the Deschutes River Trail (feel free to include details on how you use this trail for strolling, dog walking, biking, bird watching, etc.).
  • The Canopy Trail provides habitat to many species of birds, small mammals, amphibians and pollinators.
  • The Canopy Trail’s mature trees reduce large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere and help to mitigate the urban heat island effect in Bend – rated the 14th worst in the entire United States.
•  Changing the Canopy Trail to an easement is not acceptable unless:
  • The easement preserves the full recreational value of the Canopy Trail and clearly establishes that the mature trees, creek and soft foot path will be retained.
  • The portion of the easement that includes heavily treed sections of the Canopy Trail cannot be relocated.
  • The easement must be tied to the property and will remain in effect if and/when the property is sold.

Your comment must reference Docket number P-3571-041 and may be submitted using the eComment system on the FERC website at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx. You must also include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. If you have questions about this issue, please email [email protected].

Thank you for your support of the Deschutes South Canyon trails, trees and habitat.

The post Help Save the Canopy Trail (step 2) appeared first on Southern Crossing Neighborhood Association.

As part of the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate the Siphon Power Plant, COID was required to establish and maintain the Canopy Trail as a recreational trail.

Save Bend Green Space made a filing with FERC alerting the agency that COID intends to sell the parcel that contains the Canopy Trail. FERC has informed COID that it must amend its license agreement to be able to do this and must get input from BPRD and OPRD on its proposed change of the Canopy Trail from a recreational trail to a mere public easement. FYI – an easement could be a narrow paved walkway between houses or fences without the trees, creek and wildlife habitat that currently exist on the Canopy Trail.

If preserving the Canopy Trail is important to you, please email BPRD and OPRD today to let them know. Here are suggested points to make in your email.

• Why you oppose allowing Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) to abandon the Canopy Trail:
  •  The Canopy Trail offers a safe and popular connection to the Deschutes River and the Deschutes River Trail (feel free to include details on how you use this trail for strolling, dog walking, biking, bird watching, etc.).
  •  The Canopy Trail provides habitat to many species of birds, small mammals, amphibians and pollinators.
  •  The Canopy Trail was established as a public benefit necessary for COID to receive its license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate the Siphon Power Plant; COID should not be allowed to take away this benefit to the community.
•  Changing the Canopy Trail to an easement is not acceptable unless:
  •  The easement preserves the full recreational value of the  Canopy Trail and clearly establishes that mature trees, creek and soft footpath will be retained.
  •  The easement must be tied to the property and will remain in effect when the property is sold.
•  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires COID to get your parks department’s input on changes to the Canopy Trail. Please use your authority to advocate for the preservation of the Canopy Trail consistent with the intent of COID’s original license agreement.

COID has until the end of June to get input from the parks departments, but please send your email to the following contacts at BPRD and OPRD by Monday June 19 to have the greatest impact:

Bend Parks and Recreation District

• [email protected]
• [email protected], Don Horton, Executive Director

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (send as separate email)

• [email protected], Chris Havel, Associate Director

If you have questions about this issue, please email [email protected].

Thank you for your support of the Deschutes South Canyon trails, trees and habitat.

The post Help Save the Canopy Trail appeared first on Southern Crossing Neighborhood Association.

If you were among those who made comment you may be aware that the City approved the PLAs the day after the comment period closed. (Those who commented should have received notice of the application approval.) This takes the process one step closer to completion of the sale.

It was disappointing and frustrating to learn that approval was essentially guaranteed, no matter how many public comments were submitted with valid arguments against this decision. However, City Planning acknowledges in its decision that the PLAs do not conform with Bend Development Code 3.1.200.C.4 and in order to approve the PLAs the City is requiring that COID enter into a Covenant that affords some protections to the land. You can download the detailed decision. As we learn more about the Covenant and its impact on the sale of the property, we will keep you posted.

The post COID Property Line Adjustment Update appeared first on Southern Crossing Neighborhood Association.

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