Outdoor Digest.

Byline: The Register-Guard

SNOW PLAY AREA PROPOSED: The Middle Fork Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest is proposing to develop a new snow play area near Salt Creek Falls, about 20 miles southeast of Oakridge. The proposal envisions a 100-vehicle paved parking lot, vault toilets and clearing trees and vegetation from about four acres of land adjacent to Forest Road 5893, which also would be paved. The Salt Creek Falls Snow Play Area would be located about 400 feet south of the bridge over which road 5893 crosses Salt Creek, about one-half mile east of the Salt Creek Falls Observation Area along Highway 58. The area would be included in the Oregon Sno-Park system. Forest officials say there is "considerable demand" for an informal area in which people can sled and inner-tube. They hope creation of a designated snow play area would divert use from the quarry across Highway 58 from Willamette Pass Ski area, which is considered unsafe for sledding. Anyone with questions about the project, comments as to alternatives or issues they think should be addressed should contact Jim Williams or Tim Bailey at [phone].

SLED DOG RACE BEGINS: The second annual AttaBoy 300 world cup sled dog "Race for Vision" begins Sunday with a ceremonial start at Mount Bachelor Ski Area. Forty race teams, including eight of the world's top 10 mushers, are scheduled to compete in the event, which includes seven legs ranging in length from 34 to 48 miles in the Cascade and Ochoco mountains. The leg closest to Eugene will start and finish at Hoodoo Ski Area on Tuesday. Organizers say the AttaBoy field - which features top mushers from Germany, France, Switzerland and Canada, as well as defending champion Doug Swingley - is the most competitive sled dog race in the world next to the Iditarod in Alaska. Swingley is a four-time Iditarod champion. The AttaBoy 300 is one of only 10 sanctioned World Cup sled dog races. This year's event also will feature an interactive "Family Zone" where children can actually ride with a sled team, meet the dogs and get autographs and photos with the mushers. Once again this year, the AttaBoy 300 will be raising funds and awareness for vision-related charities. For more information, including daily course log, log on to www.attaboy300.com.

YOUTH ARCHERY CLASS OFFERED: The Bow Rack in Springfield is again offering area youngsters a chance to participate in the National Archery Association's Junior Olympic Archery Development Program. The 10-week program is open to youths ages 10 to 17. No experience is necessary, and all equipment is provided. Classes are held Friday nights at the Bow Rack. There is a $75 registration fee. For details and registration, call 937-2250.

TWO NATURE EVENTS PLANNED: Mount Pisgah Arboretum has scheduled a pair of educational nature outings for Saturday, Jan. 11. "Thrills & Chills with Slugs & Snails" will focus on Oregon's winter "mascots," slugs and snails. Harold Schybert will conduct the 90-minute hands-on presentation suitable for all ages. Learn about these slimy creatures' life cycles and how important they are to the arboretum's forest. Also, a "Winter Twigs Walk" will be led by Gail Baker, a botany instructor at Lane Community College. Participants will learn to identify the trees and shrubs of Mount Pisgah without their characteristic leaves. Both begin at 10 a.m. at the Arboretum Visitor Center, located off Seavey Loop Road. A $3 donation is requested for each. For details, call 747-1504.

HUNTING SURCHARGE RENEWAL SOUGHT: The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will ask the 2003 Oregon Legislature to extend the Access and Habitat Program, which will end Dec. 31, 2003, unless the legislature takes action. The program, financed by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses, has a "sunset clause." The commission voted recently to ask the Legislature to make the program permanent. Since its creation in 1993, the Access and Habitat Program has financed 245 projects on private land that improved wildlife habitat, reduced damage to agricultural crops caused by wildlife, or increased hunter access. The surcharge raises about $600,000 per year.