Incomparable Serenity - Dick Kellogg, Camp Sherman

Dear Senator Westlund,

We, who are passionate about the unique beauty of the Metolius Basin and who have worked so hard for its preservation, appreciate and thank you for introducing Senate Bill 30 which would prohibit major destination resorts in and within 3 miles of the Metolius River Basin.

Recently, Jefferson County designated two properties in and adjacent to the Basin as eligible for major destination resorts (the only two sites made eligible in the county, by the way). Destination resorts on this scale are not appropriate in the Metolius Basin. As anyone familiar with Camp Sherman and its surroundings will attest, the area is blessed with a unique and attractive natural beauty. It is characterized by incomparable serenity and flourishes with wildlife and pristine fish habitat. It has been protected over the years by special federal and state designations (Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers, State Scenic Waterways and most recently by the USDA /Forest Service as The Metolius Basin Conservation Area with protective land use restrictions). The Metolius Basin has served all citizens as a refuge from the stresses of urban life and as a unique recreational area. It is world renowned and is considered one of the crown jewels of the state of Oregon. Over the years it has retained its pristine condition through the untiring efforts of concerned citizens. It is now, again being threatened by inappropriate land development proposals.

A recent Bend Bulletin editorial chastised supporters for “forcing people to sacrifice the value of their property, as SB 30 would do” and admonished state lawmakers for undercutting local land use decisions and introducing legislation “that would cost private property owners huge sums” - referring of course to the properties proposed for destination resorts.

Even the most perfunctory look at the situation reveals that quite the opposite is true. At the time of purchase, both of these properties were zoned as restricted Forest Management land.
(The purpose and intent of the Forest Management Zone as stated in the County ordinance is “to provide for timber production, harvesting, and related activities and to help protect timber areas from fire, pollution, and encroachment of non-forestry activities”. Incidentally, the Zone is also intended to “preserve and protect watersheds, scenic areas, wildlife habitats, and other forest uses.”)

Now, by being designated for major destination resort development, what happens to the value of these properties? This is not a sacrifice of the owner’s property value, but an unwarranted windfall in value - and at the sacrifice of a very precious natural resource.

Impact on water quality is only one of the concerns. If approved, these developments will have far reaching impacts on this sensitive natural area. The Colson 10,000 acres is more than five times the size of Black Butte Ranch and the Dutch Pacific property adds another 627 acres. At the allowed density, this would represent more than 8,000 homes and condominiums.

Considering the pressure of recreational usage alone on the surrounding area, one must conclude that the County is sacrificing a precious natural resource. The County’s motivation is not the preservation and protection of the Metolius Basin - it is pure economics. Jefferson County desperately needs to increase property tax revenues - and this is a painless way to do it. Further, due to its isolated location, adjacent to Deschutes County, the tax revenue will go to Jefferson County while the impacts of these large developments will fall predominantly on Deschutes County roads, services and school districts.

Jefferson County Commissioners have been self serving in their decision to allow and encourage these two destination resorts. The decision has ignored the potential impacts on the Metolius River Basin, a state treasure. And yes, it is appropriate and timely that the State legislature step in and override this irresponsible county action.

I encourage your strong support of SB 30 in its present form. The state should not let this jewel of an area be compromised by urbanization. Let Jefferson Co. place destination resorts in more appropriate, isolated locations as the other counties are doing. After all, destination resorts are supposed to be self contained, not overwhelm existing recreation areas.

Sincerely,

Dick Kellogg, (a Camp Sherman resident and Friends of the Metolius board member)
Camp Sherman, OR