Siuslaw National Forest Facilities Master Plan
Alsea Ranger District

Workforce

The Siuslaw National Forest has received approval for consolidation of the management of the Alsea Ranger District and Waldport Ranger Districts with the staff to be located at the Waldport Ranger District. The staff has been reduced at the Alsea District over the past two years in preparation for this move. All personnel with the exception of two fire personnel and a law enforcement officer have been reassigned to either the Waldport office or the Supervisor's office as of April 1, 1998.

Office/Warehouse/Quarters

Ranger Station Administrative Site

A community action group received a federal grant to help in marketing the site for the purpose of finding prospective users or buyers for the property. The community would like to see the site utilized to help bolster the local economy. No viable prospects have been identified to date. The main office has been closed to the public with two fire personnel staying on site for building and grounds maintenance as well as security. Three of the five houses are vacant. One residence is utilized as a bunk house by the two fire people. The other residence is occupied by a daycare center operated under an agreement with a local community group.

The former Schreiber house and out buildings located on the adjoining property to the west, was acquired in 1990. The property was obtained for the sole purpose of obtaining a productive well for the Alsea Ranger Station. The buildings have been vacant since the time of purchase and are in very poor condition. Many of the windows are broken and they are infested with rodents.

ACTION:

1. Place the administrative site and buildings on the regional list of excess properties in FY 1998.
2. Allow existing rental of quarters by employees on a month to month basis until disposal actions require the buildings to be vacated.
3. Allow the daycare center located in one of the quarters to operate as long as the Forest Service officially owns the property.
4. Maintain the water system for r1re protection, maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and to provide water for the quarters and daycare center.
5. Remove Schreiber buildings in FY 199811999. Go through local bidding process to determine if there is interest in salvage of materials. If not, bum the buildings and fill the basement Include the land with the administrative site for disposal.

Alsea Guard Station at Mill Creek

This 3 acre site is approximately 1/2 mile west of the Alsea Ranger Station on highway 34. It was acquired in the 1930's for the purpose of constructing a guard station office. A residence and garage were constructed in 1935 and another garage and a pump house building was added sometime later.

The buildings have been unoccupied for the past ten years and are in a bad state of repair. The residence and the original garage have historic significance as being the only depression era guard station remaining on the Siuslaw.

In 1997, a proposal was approved by the Forest Leadership Team, to renovate the buildings for use by fire personnel that are presently stationed at the Alsea Ranger Station. This would keep a fire team in the local area and allow a quicker response time.

This decision was based on a preliminary estimate of approximately $50,000 to repair the residence and rebuild the garage for fire equipment. After closer inspection, costs were higher than originally estimated. Problems with high concentrations of lead based paint, potential asbestos in the plaster, and a higher cost to replace the septic system are a few of the items identified.

In addition to the higher cost for the residence, remodeling of the garage to house.

ACTION:

1. No construction will begin until detailed estimates are made and a decision is made to either go ahead with the project or look at other alternatives for housing the fire team. Current direction is to house a fire team in the Alsea area.
2. If the decision is made not to proceed with remodeling, investigate other fund sources or outside groups to determine if there is another viable alternative for preserving the site.
3. If no other viable alternatives for preservation are indentured, place the property and buildings on the regional list of excess properties. All appropriate historical documentation must be completed before physical removal of the buildings can take place.