FAQ
How long has the Committee been working on the exit?
The effort to build an alternate exit was renewed in August of 2013 when the CRR Board of Directors established the AD HOC Alternate Exit Committee.
Where will the proposed exit be?
The proposed alternate exit will start at the South end of Quail Rd. and intersect with Lower Bridge Way to the West of Steamboat Rock. See the maps in the document section on this website.
Did we consider an exit going North off of Peninsula Dr?
Yes, but that route was considered impractical.The distance that would have to be covered to get to an existing paved road (SW Jordan Rd. next to Lake Billy Chinook) is about 4.75 miles. That route would have a much larger elevation change and would run adjacent to and below an unstable cliff. A bridge across the Crooked River would be way more expensive than the proposed road.
How long is the proposed road?
The proposed alternate exit is 0.96 mile in length.
Why can't we just build a gravel road?
The propose route is across BLM land and the BLM has granted a right-of-way (ROW) for a paved road only. Many of the costs for building a road are the same for a gravel or a paved road. I. E. Design and engineering, clearing the ROW, grading, road base, fencing, signage, drainage, project management, etc.
Who will pay for the proposed alternate exit?
Most of the cost of the exit will be the responsibility of the Ranch property owners. The cost is unknown at this time (12/26/17). We won't know without actual bids from road construction companies.
Can we get any Government money for this road?
Yes. Currently Jefferson County has earmarked $100,000 for this project. The Committee looked into Federal grants and for a variety of reasons grants weren't very attractive. Such as the requirement to build the road to higher and more expensive Federal standards.
Do we really need another exit?
Many Ranch property owners, fire personnel, and emergency planners believe that we do. The danger of wildfire is a real threat every spring, summer and fall. All of CRR is classified as high or extreme for fire risk according to maps of the Forestland Interface Fire Protection Act (Senate Bill 360). Also see the Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Another exit off of the Ranch would speed the evacuation of people and their livestock. And as importantly it would allow speedier entry to the Ranch for fire fighting and other emergency personnel - especially our fire department's mutual aid partners that are located towards Sisters.
Could the road be used when there is not an emergency?
Yes. The road could be used just like we currently use Chinook and 43rd. Some drivers that now use CRR's only entrance/exit would use the new road and thus cut down the traffic on the existing roads.
Will the road affect recreation opportunities in the area?
The proposed road is close to the western edge of the large BLM parcel that is to the South of the Ranch. The BLM decision proposes a new road (and parking lot) to provide better access to the area West of the exit road for fishermen, equestrians, hikers and mountain bikers. The BLM wants to provide that smaller area that is free from motorized vehicles. The BLM will pay for those projects.
Wouldn't reopening Wimp Way help during an evacuation?
Wimp Way was closed off by ODOT for safety reasons. Sheriff deputies would probably open that road in an emergency, but the bottleneck coming off the Ranch would still be on greatest on Chinook and 43rd.
Why doesn't the proposed road take the shortest route to Lower Bridge Way?
The shortest route from Quail Rd. To Lower Bridge Way places the intersection with Lower Bridge Way at a dangerous portion of that highway. Because of curves, visibility to see oncoming traffic is poor. Therefore the route goes to a safer place in the road where Lower Bridge Way is straight in both directions for a ways. This placement is a requirement from Deschutes county.
Why is a fence required along the road?
The fence is for safety and is required by the BLM to prevent ATVs, equestrians, hikers and bikers from coming onto the road except at designated crossings. The specifications call for a 3 strand smooth (barb-less) wildlife friendly fence.
Would the Ranch need to get a loan?
Yes. The best option that we currently have is to obtain a loan from the Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Bank (OTIB). We are working with Jefferson county to have the County be the loan applicant and guarantor. The Ranch would repay the County.
If we build the road when would we start?
An optimistic start date would be in May 2018. No construction can take place from January 1st until April 15 because of migratory animals coming through the area.
Would the BLM charge an ongoing fee for the Right-of-Way?
No. The BLM will not charge any fees.
So how much money are we talking about?
The Committee is using $800,000 as a guess to figure what the proposed road would cost. This estimate contains a 20% cost overrun contingency. We believe that this figure is more than enough to cover the cost of building the road. The basis for this estimate is the initial work done by All Points Engineering & Surveying in 2014. Their estimate at the time was $416,504.
Without deducting the $100,000 that has been committed by Jefferson County and using a loan rate of 2.09%/year - if the loan term is 10 years then the cost per year per lot would be about $33.81/year or $2.82/month. A loan term of 15 years at 2.42% would be about $24.28/year or $2.03/month. A loan term of 20 years at 2.84% would be about $23.03/year or $1.92/month.
Does the area have any cultural or archaeological areas to avoid?
Yes. There are 2 small areas that must be avoided during construction. Avoidance would not be a problem.
Where can I find out more about this?
See the document section of this website.
I couldn't attend the Town Hall meeting? Can I get the documents?
Yes. See the document section of this website. The audio of the meeting is on the Crooked River Ranch website.