The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Smith Rock Master Plan at its meeting on June 14. The draft plan was then reviewed by Deschutes County for compatibility with their comprehensive plans and zoning codes. The final step is to add the new adopted Smith Rock Master plan to the Oregon Administrative Rules that cover state park master plans (OAR 736-018-0045). OPRD is seeking public comment on its proposal to add the updated master plan to the list. The deadline for comment is 5 p.m. Aug. 4.
Past Action
OPRD received more than
300 comments on the Draft Master Plan
Staff has incorporated the following edits to the Smith Rock Master Plan in response to comments from the public and partner organizations:
- Clarified language around proposed reservation system, to confirm that first-come first-serve options will remain available for overnight and day-use visitors.
- Noted that universal design principles should be implemented where feasible, not necessarily on climbing access trails.
- Redacted proposal to decommission Canyon Trail to give park managers more flexibility as circumstances evolve for nesting birds and other wildlife.
- Clarified language around drone use, to assert that legitimate drone use could still be permitted even if drones ultimately become banned from the park.
- Updated permitting requirements in accordance with Deschutes County suggestions.
Staff Contact
Jenna Marmon
Planning and Design Lead
Jenna.s.Marmon@oprd.oregon.gov
971-382-2177
Prior Public Meetings
April 10, 2023 (Complete)
3-4:30 p.m.
Watch the Zoom recording here