The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

JOSEPH, ORE. — The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest will reopen the Pittsburg Landing Campground on Friday, July 14. It has been closed since June 28 due to increased conflict between visitors and an adult bear habituated to human food, explains Sweyn Wall, Recreation Manager for the Hells Canyon Recreation Area.

“Our crews have been closely monitoring this situation,” said Wall. “It’s been several weeks since the bear was last seen near people. It has been observed eating natural food sources, which is a good sign.”

The Forest requires proper food storage in the Pittsburg Landing area to balance visitor and wildlife safety with recreation access. Visitors to the site will need to store and use food and other attractants in a “bear-resistant manner.”

This requirement is intended to reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife, said Jamey Basye, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Deputy District Ranger.

“Proper storage of food, trash, and other attractants is an important component of our decision to reopen Pittsburg Landing Campground,” said Basye. “Minimizing readily accessible food sources for wildlife will help reduce some of the safety concerns that led to the campground closure in June.”

Bears, mountain lions, and other wildlife can become dangerous when associating people with accessible food sources. These food-conditioned animals often can’t be scared away or successfully relocated to other areas. Should they continue to return to areas occupied by humans in search of food, the animals may ultimately be euthanized for public safety.