Support the Metolian

Please help us bring stewardship-based development to Oregon

In December of 2006 Jefferson County adopted a new Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code. The County implemented Goal 8 of the Statewide Planning Goals and Guidelines (recreation) and identified two sites in Jefferson County as “destination resort eligible.” Since then the County’s adopted plan and code have been working through the appellate system, most recently making their way to the Oregon Supreme Court.

Governor Kulongoski has requested that the Department of Land Conservation and Development create an Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC) that would cover the entire Metolius Basin. This ACSC designation would prohibit resorts from the Metolius Basin despite Jefferson County’s economic policy decision to permit such uses on two discrete sites in the county. No other county in Oregon has been overruled in this way.

The House has introduced HB 3100, which accepts LCDC's recommendation to designate the Metolius Basin and area of interest as as an Area of Critical State Concern (“ACSC”). It further stipulates that destination resorts will not be located within this ACSC. Our supporters testified at hearings in Salem on April 7, 9, and 23. We believe this support has made a huge difference, but it is still an uphill battle. Yet we believe we have a lot of support in the state and in the Legislature.

HB 3100 has moved to the Rules Committee. SB 741 is now under consideration in the Senate Environment Committee. We expect that in the end there will be many bills and amendments that will have to be reconciled in order for the legislation to pass.

Although it's been a long road, we still hold firm in our belief that it's important to:

• Preserve local control
• Treat counties in Oregon equitably
• Rely on and be consistent in our use of Oregon's proven land use system
• Support economic development
• Take a new approach to development

We ask for your support — it can still make a real difference.

The most effective thing at this point is to write a letter to:

Rep. Arnie Roblan
House Rules Committee Chairman
900 State St.
Salem, OR 97301

The letter should specifically support the Metolian. The bill number to which we are opposed is HB 3100.

Letters on letterhead are most effective. If you send your letter via email, please send it to rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us, and please send a copy to ashley@grsoregon.com.

For more detailed information about our project, please consult the Metolian application materials. You may also want to consult our Writer's Kit which we were using to solicit support earlier in the year. It does not take into account more recent developments, but it has some more background information and additional contacts.

Thank you for your support.