Ore. land trust holds out hope for Skyline Forest

BEND, Ore.  — An Oregon land trust says it might be able to follow through on its proposed Skyline Forest project despite an investment company’s purchase of the land it was planning to use.

Singapore-based Whitefish Cascade Forest Resources bought nearly 200,000 acres of Oregon forestland for $855 million in February, reported The Bulletin. That included the 33,000 acres that Deschutes Land Trust had hoped to turn into a community forest.

For 12 years, the trust had been thinking of turning the former Bull Springs Tree Farm into 51.5 square miles of trails and outdoor space just minutest from Bend. The Deschutes Land Trust came close to purchasing the property from its previous owner.

Land trust executive director Brad Chalfant says his organization hasn’t abandoned that dream.

“We’re in dialogue with the new owners,” he said. “It’s going to take them some time to really get a feel for what they’ve got out there.”

Chalfant wants to set up his organization as a potential buyer if Whitefish Cascade ever decides to put the land up for sale. The trees on the east side of the Cascades aren’t worth much money, he said.

Whitefish Cascade officials did not return calls for comment. The investment company has a local office in Sunriver.

Central Oregon LandWatch’s Paul Dewey said he’s concerned that as Bend grows, Whitefish Cascade will be tempted to build homes on the property.

“As Bend starts to expand, there’s a tremendous push for growth,” he said. “Our fear all along is that the area might be developed.”

He said the timber could be a decent long-term investment if allowed to grow.