5/3/2023 11:20 a.m. 

 

Officials with the Oregon Bureau of Land Management are closing the Sandy Ridge Recreation Area Thursday.

Information released from BLM this morning said crews will use the closure to remove hazard trees around the parking lot and trails.

Dennis Teitzel, the BLM Northwest Oregon District Manager said, “Public safety is our top priority, and these dead and dying trees are at risk of dropping limbs or falling and creating a dangerous situation for our visitors.”

BLM officials said their staff evaluates hazardous trees at BLM-managed recreation sites in late spring, once the chance of severe winter storms has passed.

However, this year’s late spring has delayed the BLM’s ability to survey and address hazardous issues at all of the recreation sites the bureau oversees before visitors arrive.

To allow adequate time to identify and remove the hazard trees, crews will close and lock the gates this evening.

The work will take place for much of the day Thursday.

The gates will be reopened to the public early Friday.

For more information about the Sandy Ridge Recreation Area, click HERE.