Volunteers step in to fix dam portage

DUNES CITY — The city’s quest to fix the dam portage on the Siltcoos River Canoe Trail and to find an authority to take over responsibility for any future maintenance and repairs to the structure could soon be over.

At Thursday’s Dunes City council meeting, City Recorder Fred Hilden said that volunteer materials and labor have been donated to fix the structure, which has been in a state of disrepair since last fall.

In a call to city hall on Thursday, volunteers reported that the walkway had already been repaired and the handrail stabilized. The kayak portion of the portage is estimated to be repaired within the next two weeks. According to Hilden, Port of Siuslaw Manager Robert Forsythe will meet with the city to discuss the possibility of port involvement in the portage.

Councilor Ed Scarberry said there are downed trees located below the structure, which have become a hazard during high tide to paddlers.

The city is requesting permission from the Department of State Lands and the Oregon State Marine Board to remove

the hazardous trees, which will also

be completed, if permitted, through volunteer labor.

For the complete article see the 07-14-2012 issue.



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