Why we got started…

The vast majority of users of the Tumalo Natural Area have respect for the land, wildlife, other users and private property.  The placement of informational kiosks has resulted in a huge reduction unauthorized use and damage to the area.  Having said that, unauthorized, destructive and frankly illegal activity continues. Report violations to the Deschutes County Sheriff Non-emergency hotline at 541.388.0170 option 5. Below is the list of issues that motivated us to action.

      Illegal Shooting:

Shell CasingsX
Bullets and casings

Laws and regulations permit and regulate hunting and trapping within the Winter Deer Range Closure area and the Tumalo Natural Area.  The Winter Range Cooperative Closure runs from November 30th to March 31st. No shooting or hunting is allowed during the closure.  Target shooting is not allowed ever in the Tumalo Natural Area except on private property.

Unauthorized OHV (off highway vehicle) Use

West of the 1915 Dam
West of the 1915 Dam

Prior to posting the Tumalo Natural Area user restrictions and the closure of unauthorized roads and trails, individuals and groups of OHV riders would ride through the Bull Flat and other areas destroying endangered plant species and inflicting long term damage to the habitat. The incidence has declined with the signage and enforcement intervention.  More work needs to be done – see our Projects menu.

 Dumping

Hazardous Stuff
Hazardous Stuff!
Items dumped within the Tumalo Natural Area have ranged from beer cans to hazardous materials requiring disposal by hazmat teams.  The short list includes:
  • Cans, bottles and trash (from paper to vehicle parts to tires),
  • 55 gallon drums and large plastic containers of hazardous materials (i.e. paints, solvents),
  • Chemically euthanized and/or clean killed farm animals and hunting carcasses,

In August 2014, a team of fTWC volunteers did an especially thorough sweep along the land adjoining Sisemore Road, from the Tumalo Reservoir Road intersection to the Tumalo Dam.  The haul included 25 car tires and a complete camp cooking set up along with the remains of a dinner.

In July 2015 two of our supporters did a Clean Up of the area around the Couch Market Road information kiosk.   This time the haul included not only the usual car tires and gin bottles but also a significant amount of paint in cans.

Disposal of this trash required a HazMAt Team from the BLM and cost $1200 in 2014 and over $2000 in 2015.

fTWC volunteers continue to pick up trash within the TNA on an ongoing basis.  See Projects for how you can help.