Bend advisory group debates long-term fire and ecological management for city-owned open spaces

The City of Bend Water Advisory Group met in October and revisited a June site tour of Overturf Butte to discuss how the city should manage utility-owned natural open spaces long term after a summer fire-mitigation project.

Dan (staff member) summarized the city's response to neighbor complaints and the results of a contractor-led mitigation: “I think we paid $25,000 for this 20 foot buffer,” he said, and described the prescription used: crown lifting to about 6 feet, removal of trees smaller than 6 inches, creation of about 10-foot spacing from large shrubs and retention of bunchgrass where possible for soil stabilization.

Members said the work addressed immediate fire-safety concerns but raised choices about ecological value, infrastructure protection and cost. “We had a few neighbors reach out that were interested in participating in the long term planning,” Dan said, noting widespread positive feedback but one resident’s concern that brush removal reduced quail habitat.

Why it matters: these city parcels mix utility infrastructure, recreation and native habitat and adjoin residential neighborhoods. Advisory group members and guest experts emphasized that decisions affect wildfire risk, stormwater performance and…