MHFHA Welcomes You! Web site last updated 9/25/08
The Mt. Hood Forest Homeowner's Association (MHFHA) represents owners of Forest Service cabins in the Mt. Hood Forest, the “4th Largest Tract of Forest Service Homes in the Nation.”
The following is from an email received from Fran Lanagan
She is asking for our help in completing the required information necessary for reissuance of our permits. If you have this information completed you can email it to her in PDF format to: FLANAGAN@FS.FED.US
>>>>>> 9/25/08 >>>>>>
I am having a bit of a problem and I think it is going to delay getting the permits out - we still have about 90 people who haven’t turned in their septic report, and at least that many who haven’t turned back in their compliance forms. So, we either don’t issue them a permit, issue them a temporary permit, which would be most inefficient, or contact them each to request their information.
We are going to send a letter out to those who haven’t responded, but our lack of personnel here makes that a lengthy task and delays my ability to deal with the other facets of this program - like approving project requests, dealing with hazard trees, etc. I think many people have completed everything but just haven’t turned the form back in. It may take awhile to get a letter out.
Do you think it would help if you put a reminder on your webpage or even sent out an email to your list?
The basic message is just that “The Forest Service is still waiting for many cabin owners to return their compliance forms and send in their septic forms so that we can proceed to the next step in the permit re-issuance process.” Time that we have to spend contacting people to remind them to return these required forms may slow down the process for all.
Additionally, I will definitely not be able to process requests for cabin additions, sheds, etc until this is finished. People should still turn in their project requests, using the project request form on our website. I will deal with them in the order received, but unless they relate to permit re-issuance or are for a health and safety matter, I probably won’t be able to process them until late winter.
Thank you much,
Fran Lanagan
Permit Administrator
Cabin Owners Take Note ........
I received the following e-mail this morning from one of our permit holders. This is something that we have been hearing from other forests but have closed our eyes and ears to by saying "It could not happen here". Maybe it can! It looks like there needs to be some intense discussion with the Forest Service in regard to their plans that could affect all of us.
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Email of 9/13/08
Dear Daryl,
I had a conversation recently with Norman Goetz concerning an issue involving recreation residence permit renewals and he suggested we fill you in (as webmaster of the MFFHA site).
While most cabin owners await their 20 year leases and prepare to fight the lease fees, we have been informed that, at least this year, we will NOT be offered the option of a twenty year lease.
We have received notification from the forest service that we will be offered a ONE YEAR renewal while an environmental analysis is completed, likely by spring of 2009.
After 40 years of cabin ownership, having never been flooded or making a claim of any kind on our flood insurance which we have carried all that time, we are being told that there are concerns relating to "public safety" and "impacts on aquatic resources" as a result of "examining stream channel migration patterns, side channel debris torrents and floodplain issues." This issue relates to 25 cabins of the Cool Creek tract, which has been determined to be, along with the other 9 Mt Hood residence tracts, consistent at the tract level with the National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
However, we are being evaluated on an individual basis, with the letter stating 3 possible outcomes: a) continue use with no changes to the Special Use permit, b) continue use with modifications to the permit, or c) discontinue the permit.
Our family met with Zig Zag District Ranger Bill Westbrook on Sept 5th at our Rd 12 cabin. We cannot say enough about how gracious Bill was with his time and effort in explaining the details of this review. Naturally, after 40 years of cabin ownership, we had lots of questions . Bill was extremely patient and understanding, spending over two hours addressing our concerns.
However, the bottom line is that there are likely only 2 options...we will either be renewed or we will have to abandon our cabin. We would be offered an "in lieu" lot in which we may build another cabin. We will be offered NO restitution for our cabin, or any funds with which to build another. While the financial ramifications are catastrophic to us, the sentimental and emotional loss...the family memories, the growing up of a family and the hopes of the future and growing old together...are even more disturbing.
With this note, we are hoping to make members of the MHFHA aware of our situation. Any additional information or suggestions that can be offered to us will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Robin Gestring and family
Rd 12, Lot 139
“Outline of the appraisal process and
upcoming fee increases”
This is a Power Point presentation put together by the Cabin Coalition II. The presentation takes you through the concerns of the upcoming appraisals and what CUFFA could mean to you in the future. You will need to “scroll with your mouse” to move from slide to slide. CUFFA presentation
Cabin Coalition
Recently you may have received a letter from the "Cabin Coalition 2." The letter stated the problem with the current system of assessing our permit fees and it also brings out the devastating effect it will have on the Summer Homes program. Click here to read a copy of that letter.
This letter was a “call to action” on the part of the cabin owners. If you are in agreement with their concerns, please write your congressmen and enlist their help in reevaluating the fee setting process.
You can find the appropriate person to direct your concerns to at this site. Please send us a copy of any correspondence you send. Click here to find all your congressional representatives
To Plow or Not To Plow ...
This is a question that came up quite a few times during our recent bout with “old man winter”.
Many people wanted to know why the forest service did not take care of their (our) roads. The frustration mounted as the snow piled up and cabin owners could not drive into their cabins to enjoy a spectacular winter wonderland. Representatives of this association recently had a meeting with Fran Lanagan (Summer Homes Program Director) and Bill Westbrook (District Ranger) and posed just this question. In answering this question, Fran referred to our permits where it is stated
“Unless specifically provided as an added provision to this permit, this authorization is for site occupancy and does not provide for the furnishing of structures, road maintenance, water, fire protection, or any other such services by a government agency, utility association, or individual.”
With this being said, Bill Westbrook added as discussion that he would be open to issuing a conditional permit to an individual or a group of cabin owners for clearing their road. There would be a nominal fee and certain restrictions and an acceptance of liability in the event that other people’s property was damaged during the plowing. Their concerns were based on the protection of the environment as well as our neighbor’s property. During a major snow fall with-out “guide posts” to show the whereabouts of the road edge, property makers, and utility markers, there could be major damage done. You could also find that your driveway had been cut off by a pile of snow created in an effort to clear the path for someone else. It was also discussed that if a permit is issued by the Forest Service to allow snow plowing, that the entire road would need to be maintained throughout the snow season, not just an isolated occasion.
How about spring and summer road repair?
The answer similarly applies almost the same to the summer time maintenance of roads. Although our permit does not specify that the Forest Service has an obligation for road maintenance or improvements in the Summer Homes area, they do have an obligation to maintain the roads in the National Forest for the use of the general public. Some of our roads are used for access to trail heads and fishing holes. With the limited resources, both financial as well as personnel, the Forest Service still does occasionally contract out this maintenance work.
Bill again said he would be very willing to work something out whereas we would be granted permission to do some minor work on the roads. This could even include making road gravel available to our work groups to fill pot holes and even out some of the rough spots. Any work of this type would require prior approval by the F.S staff to ensure that damage is not done to the environment or any lot damage.
We will stay in dialogue with the Forest Service regarding these two issues and keep you updated!
Cabin Permit Fees are Rising
How High Will They Go?
The yearly fee cabin owners pay to the US Forest Service (Special Permit Fee) is based on 5% of the assessed land value. The last appraisal on the lots that all Mt Hood area cabins sit on was conducted in 1999. Due to the CUFFA (Cabin User Fee Fairness Act) legal battles, permit fees have not been based on the 1999 appraisal – but beginning January 2009 they will be.
The other critical decision made by CUFFA is that all lots will be on a 10-year appraisal cycle.
What does that mean to you? The fee you pay in January 2009 will reflect a permit fee based on the 1999 appraisals. In 2009 new appraisals will be conducted and the permit fee based on this new appraisal will go into affect in the year 2012.
This PDF shows a chart of permit fees for a typical cabin located on the water. The chart takes into account the actual fees paid in the past 10 years and the ensuing change based on the 1999 reappraisal as well as a projected increase based on the forthcoming 2009 appraisal. The annual fee for this cabin in 1965 was $43.00
As cabin owners we have the right to be a part of the appraisal process. If these higher fees concern you – please get involved!
Deputy King of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office replies.
The following is in response to my question as
to what suggestions he might offer to deter the bad
guys based on his experience in this sort of crimes. Besides all the structural
thing that can be done he stresses the importance of just being aware of your
surrounding. Check your neighbor’s cabin when you are there.
Deputy King wrote:
The main thing I have seen is the suspects do not like to
break large windows to gain access. The older cabins have older doors with the
frames and probably have the short screws holding the brackets in. That’s where
I would start, where the latch goes into the door frame; replace those screws
with the 4 inch ones that go straight into the studs to make it more secure.
Also, if they have a glass window pane on the door, get rid of it, all they do
is break out the lower pane and unlock the door.
Of course the best option is to update the windows and doors,
but that can be spendy. Then there are bars, but who wants to live in a
prison.
The most important thing is find out who lives up there and
make sure they have contact numbers and are aware of cars coming and going.
That’s how this last case was broken, a very sharp neighbor saw a truck parked
in front of a vacation home and he heard the glass break. Got the plate number
and located the truck about an hour later.
Good News for all cabin owners
The following email was sent out to all Jan 2nd:
This information may be “old” news to those who have spent a lot time on the mountain in the past month, but for all of us it is Good News.
I am happy to report that there have been some positive actions dealing with the burglaries on the mountain. Read the attached PDF of the latest Mountain Times. Mt Times Article
This does not mean that we can let our guard down as this is just one individual and he may have some “friends” in the same business. This arrest came about due to a “concerned citizen” reporting something that appeared suspicious. Please report any break-ins to us after you have contacted the Sheriff’s office.
If you see suspicious activity, contact the police immediately. Watch for unusual vehicles this time of year, jot down license plate numbers, and be aware! Report it to Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 503-655-8211.
A hearty THANKS to the sheriff’s office and Deputy Scott King in particular.
The Cougars among us
Early in the morning of September 24th, one of our cabin owners reported sighting a cougar along Road 12 near cabin 8. This is very rare for these cats to be seen this close to town. Cougars are typically solitary and territorial but they can be somewhat unpredictable depending on their circumstances.
Repair & Maintenance Contacts
Do you need to find a reputable person to perform work on your prized cabin?
We have started a resource for references on the “Mt Hood Community” page.