Newsroom

CORVALLIS - Over the past five years, a comprehensive stream and watershed program in the research forests operated near Corvallis by Oregon State University has resulted in streams, recreational trails, roads and other features that are models for progressive watershed management, officials say.

The self-supporting program is conducted with part of the income from timber sales in these forests, and in the past five years almost $1.5 million has been used for stream protection and enhancement - about $339,000 just last year.

"Frankly, our streams, roads and trails are now in pretty good shape," said David Lysne, director of the research forests. "What we've accomplished here clearly shows that you can actively manage a forest for timber, recreation, fire protection and other values, and still take good care of your watersheds. You just have to put a little money and effort towards this goal."

OSU operates almost 14,000 acres of forestland in the McDonald, Dunn and Blodgett research forests, which are used for scientific research and student instruction. Many of the innovations that have improved forest management across the Pacific Northwest during recent decades have emerged from these forests and, at the same time, more than 22 miles of recreational trails in McDonald Forest are used intensively for recreation by local residents. Hunters, hikers, horse riders, mountain bikers, picnickers, bird watchers and many others share the forest 365 days a year.

"We used to have culverts that were too few and too far apart, eroding trails, some sediments coming off of roads and other problems," Lysne said. "There were also some barriers to fish passage."

A number of years ago the College of Forestry made a commitment to improving those conditions, Lysne said, and has since made numerous improvements. Many new culverts were installed or enlarged, bridges built or improved, and some unnecessary roads abandoned. A major trail improvement effort was undertaken, using whatever measures were needed in specific areas - installation of steps, gravel, foot bridges, water diverters, use of synthetic textiles and other techniques.

"Our knowledge base about how to accomplish these multiple uses is so much better than it was decades ago," Lysne said. "Now, most of the streams leaving our research forest are clear, cold and great habitat for fish. These programs are a good testimony to what modern forest management can do."