Douglas County Details $2.1 Million in Whistler’s Bend, Wildfire Fuels Contracts

Douglas County has outlined more than $2.1 million in planned work to rehabilitate the upper campground at Whistler’s Bend County Park and reduce hazardous vegetation along 165 lane miles of county roads.

The two contracts appeared as action items during the Douglas County Board of Commissioners’ September 9 business meeting. One covers improvements at the popular park near Glide, while the other focuses on reducing roadside vegetation that could contribute to wildfire spread.

Whistler’s Bend Campground Improvements

The county selected Morello Construction LLC for the Whistler’s Bend project under a contract totaling $1,475,255.

According to the contract documents, work may begin no earlier than September 15 and must be completed by June 30, 2027. Once construction begins, the contractor will be required to maintain continuous work toward the completion deadline.

The rehabilitation project includes new and upgraded infrastructure throughout the upper campground. Listed construction items include 34 RV sewer connections, 34 power-and-water RV pedestals and 34 fire pits.

Other work includes water and sewer lines, septic tanks, drainfield improvements, electrical infrastructure, concrete pads, wheel stops, ADA signage and pavement markings. The project also calls for significant paving work, including approximately 7,250 tons of aggregate base and 2,000 tons of asphalt.

County documents state that project costs will be offset through two 50/50 matching County Opportunity Grants from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Roadside Wildfire Fuels Reduction

A separate $639,210.70 contract with Mobile Diesel Repair Service Inc., doing business as Smalley and Sons Construction, covers hazardous fuels reduction along county roads.

The project encompasses 165 lane miles across southern Douglas County:

• North Myrtle Road and South Myrtle Road
• Tiller Trail Highway, South Umpqua Road and Tison Road
• Upper Cow Creek Road
• Quines Creek Road and Azalea-Glen Road

Work will generally take place within existing county rights-of-way, extending up to 20 feet from the edge of the traveled road. Crews will cut, prune, mow, chip and remove brush, shrubs, vegetation and certain standing or downed trees.

The contract includes protections for vegetation designated to remain. That includes roadside retention trees, fruit-bearing and ornamental plants, and vegetation that provides shade along streams. Contractors are also prohibited from working beyond fence lines without permission.

The work is scheduled in stages. Upper Cow Creek, Quines Creek and Azalea-Glen roads are scheduled first, followed by the Tiller-area roads and then North and South Myrtle roads. All work under the contract must be completed by March 12, 2027.

The contract also incorporates federal award requirements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service.

More information about this project can be found using the button below.