SUTHERLIN (AP) — The future of two annual city festivals is in question because of a Department of State Lands decision that classifies the festival grounds as wetlands and says festival activities violate state law.

The Sutherlin Stampede Rodeo and four of the Sutherlin Blackberry Festival activities are in jeopardy based on state approval of a delineation that identified nearly 12 acres of wetlands at the festival grounds, according to a letter from the state to the city of Sutherlin.

The state found the annual summer activities in violation of removal-fill laws, and continuing the activities without a state permit would be in further violation, according to the letter.

Community members ad festival organizers were upset by the when they met at the Sutherlin City Council meeting last week.

The City Council directed the city’s attorney and staff to investigate wetlands law to see if the festivals which may predate the laws could be grandfathered through and continue.

The festival grounds were deeded to the city by Douglas County Timber Days in 1994. In 2006, the Sutherlin Parks Committee planned changes to the festival grounds, which included adding permanent grandstands and altering the current rodeo arena and mud races course, said Sutherlin City Manager Bud Schmidt..

First, a wetlands delineation had to be completed. The city’s consultants completed a preliminary delineation earlier this year.

The state is requiring a joint permit between the city of Sutherlin and the Department of State Lands before the city alters the wetlands area in any other fashion, Schmidt said. Filing a joint permit application would cost the city between $12,000 and $20,000, he said.

In the application, the city will have to outline what action it plans to take regarding the wetlands area.

Options include restoring the wetlands to its original state, relocating the rodeo arena or purchasing or creating wetlands elsewhere to offset the impact to the festival grounds, Schmidt said.

The process would likely take several months, and Schmidt said the festival committees should not rely on using the grounds for 2009, leaving festival organizers to seek other locations.

Sutherlin Stampede Rodeo President Jacob Masterfield said he plans to look for alternative sites for the 2009 rodeo, which collects 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of food each year for the Sutherlin-Oakland Food Pantry. The 17-year-old event has taken place at the festival grounds since its birth. The entire rodeo arena is considered wetlands.

“I think right now the possibility is very real that this rodeo will not happen this coming season,” Masterfield said after the council meeting.

The Sutherlin Blackberry Festival will continue in 2009, but it may be without four of its events mud volleyball and the BMX, mud and lawn mower races that take place at the festival grounds, chairman Duane Waller said. Waller plans to explore all options, including alternative locations.

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Information from: The News-Review, http://www.oregonnews.com