April 22, 2021 3:40 a.m.

Starting this spring, Forest Service employees and contractors will be conducting a feasibility study to help determine the future of the Tiller Ranger Station.

A release said the Umpqua National Forest has concluded maintaining the current Tiller Ranger Station in the long term is not practical and will begin reviewing options for the location.

The release said the Tiller Ranger Station is a compound consisting of 27 buildings, many of which were built in the 1930s and 1940s. In recent years the Forest Service has faced growing challenges in maintaining those facilities. Many of the buildings and associated infrastructure, require repairs estimated at up to $11 million, in order to maintain safe working and living conditions. The release said funding for this level of deferred maintenance is not available.

The feasibility study will consider deferred maintenance needs, currently available and needed services, wildfire response capacity, seasonal housing, employee recruitment and retention, and other important issues. It will also evaluate several alternative locations, all within an hour’s drive from the current Tiller facilities.

Forest Supervisor Alice Carlton said “This feasibility study will help up evaluate options for how we can meet current and future needs for the Tiller Ranger District, the Umpqua National Forest, and the communities we serve”.

The release said the feasibility study contractor will engage employees, community members and stakeholders to collect feedback on what is most important to them when considering a new location for the Tiller Ranger Station.

The Umpqua National Forest will share additional information about this process and opportunities to engage in the coming weeks.