Corvallis Forest Access Request

The Corvallis Forest welcomes access for projects that align with the guiding principles and access policy of the Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan. The watershed's primary function is to provide drinking water for the City of Corvallis. To this end, the watershed is managed to enhance ecosystem functions that ultimately supports clean drinking water. Within this context, there are many opportunities for education and outreach about source water, observational studies and limited potential for collaboration for research in the context of a managed forest.

The 2352-acre Corvallis Forest is closed to the public. Access is granted through a permit/request process. The only recreation activity allowed on the Corvallis Forest is limited to the Corvallis-To-Sea trail along the northern border of the Forest.

Because access is restricted in the Corvallis Forest, the city requires that all visitors follow the same protocol if requesting access. Below is an outline of the access protocol and additional information that will help with planning and implementation of projects. Specific questions regarding access and the access protocol should be directed to the Water Treatment Plant Supervisor or the Environmental Services and Regulatory Affairs supervisor at (541)-766-6916.

No access will be granted without prior approval. No exceptions. 

Please fill out and submit the attached form, or ask any watershed access questions, to Julia.Cline@CorvallisOregon.gov

Watershed Access Form

• In your email requesting access, please include:
  • Signed access agreement (above)
  • Name(s) of people requesting access
  • Cell phone numbers of those people (***very important! If anyone fails to "check out" when leaving the forest, we will have to do a search party -- please put cell numbers that the group will respond to***) 
  • Vehicle/s description
  • Short project description/details, including WHERE in the watershed (you can pinpoint on this linked map if it is easier than describing the location) 
  • Expected visit date/times, including arrival and exit times

Quick Notes:

• Visitors are required to notify the treatment plant when safely out of the Corvallis Forest. Visitors MUST call the treatment plant upon exit; leaving a message on the Treatment plant phone: 541-929-2636 is acceptable if there is no answer on the treatment plant phone. Visitors may also stop by the water treatment plant and notify staff in person. This is an important step to satisfy the City’s watershed safety protocols. If visitors do not provide notification of their exit, watershed staff are required to search the area specified in the advance notice and provide emergency aid. This is a safety benefit to research in the Corvallis Forest.
• Treatment plant phone: 541-929-2636
• Access is only allowed between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM

• During fire season (typically June to August) all visitors are required to carry standard USFS fire preparedness equipment in their vehicle. See access agreement for more details. 

• No smoking allowed in watershed