A new 2,000 foot long airstrip adjacent to the Deschutes River between Bend and Redmond is being proposed. The application is for a private airstrip, but commercial use is allowed.  Your favorite mapping program will show that 20925 Harper Road is nearly adjacent to the Maston trail system and the flight path will go over other houses.  I’m all for property rights, but this is something else.  Parts of Maston are seasonally closed to protect nesting eagles.  Nearby Cline Buttes Recreation Area is winter range for deer and elk.  Hikers, equestrians, and cyclists use these areas year round.  It’s not the best fishing, but I’ve hiked down to the river there.  Why do the desires of a single property owner supersede the needs of wildlife and the public’s tranquil use of this area?

Deschutes County is holding a public hearing on this conditional use permit December 15 at 6 pm.  You can attend the meeting in person in the Sawyer Room in the County Building, via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83531892634, or by telephone at 669-900-9128 ID 835 3189 2634.  You can also submit written comments to Nathaniel.Miller@deschutes.org prior to 5 pm on December 14.

Here’s a very brief summery of the application for the airstrip.  Here’s more information on the public hearing.  Here’s all the detail you could want on the application.