20 Weekends A Year Camping At The Metolius - Ervin Siverson, Portland

(The Following is Ervin Siverson's prepared testimony in support of SB 30 for the April 5th hearing. This was submitted into the record, but time had run out before it could be delivered orally:)

My name is Ervin Siverson and I live in Portland, OR. For full disclosure, I am not a developer, a real estate agent or a representative of some wildlife organization. I am not a lobbyist. I come to speak for what does not have a spokesperson or lobbyist, and that is the river ecosystem, the fish, and the surrounding flora and fauna of the Metolius River Basin.

My wife and I are avid tent campers and spend at least 20 weekends a year camping at the Metolius River. We know all the camp hosts, have hiked every inch of the river, and I have had the joy and pleasure of fly-fishing in its pristine waters. I hope that you legislators who are deciding the fate of this river have visited the Metolius River Basin; we have camped all over the west and nothing can compare to its unique beauty.

I went to the Metolius River last weekend to hand out fliers discussing the proposed destination resort development and the subsequent public hearing for Senate Bill 30. I spent three days talking with visitors at the Wizard Falls fish hatchery, campers at all the open campsites, and hiked the river to speak with my fellow fishermen who love the river as much as I do. I spoke with anybody who would listen to the threats that these destination resorts would pose to the Metolius River. I spoke to people from all areas of the state, and to many from other states who come to this special place to visit and relax.

In speaking to all of these people, several themes emerged that you legislators need to know before you decide the fate of this river. One, many people “had heard something” about the proposed development but were appalled to learn of the size and scope planned; and were shocked that the development would take place in the Metolius River Basin. I heard several people state “I thought the development was going to be in Bend or Redmond where it is already ruined.” I heard several people state the obvious, that this is a basin and all the run-off from the golf courses, contrived landscaping, septic systems etc. would end up in the bottom of the basin, which is the Metolius River. None of these people were for the proposed development and felt it would ruin the quality of the river. Two, most had their own personal story of how development in their neighborhoods had impacted their quality of life, from wells running dry to forested hillsides being scraped clean to build trophy homes for out of state visitors. Several said they were contemplating moving out of state due to the degradation of both the land around their homes and to the wildlife areas they visit such as the Metolius River Basin. Three, and maybe most important to you, is the lack of faith in believing that their legislators even listen to the ‘common man’ such as myself. All said they admired my dedication and passion to make a difference yet wondered if it is possible to fight the proposed development. I have to admit I was shocked and somewhat dismayed at the level of distrust my fellow man showed for the legislative process, yet many felt that the money to be made was too great to overcome. These opinions are from your constituency, I do not apologize for them, and I only report them so you know how the common man without a lobbyist feels about what is happening to them.

Bill Bellamy, Jefferson County Commissioner, was quoted in an Oregonian newspaper article as stating “Whether or not you like what destination resorts have done, its phenomenally significant what they do to property tax revenues.” The key phrase here is “what destination resorts have done.” What a decision you legislators have to make, opening the door to development within a basin that contains a pristine, federally designated Wild and Scenic River with endangered and federally protected Bull Trout, verses passing legislation such as Senate Bill 30 that would protect this river for centuries to come. It rests with you legislators, the legacy of what is to become of the Metolius River Basin, having to, as Bill Bellamy states, take the risk of what destination resorts will do to the river. I am not anti-development, I understand it needs to happen, yet why does it need to happen here? How have we lost the concept of protecting open spaces such as the Metolius Basin? If the Metolius River Basin can be developed, then nothing is sacred. And let’s be honest, these homes are not going to be bought by Oregonians. At $500,000 to $750,000 a lot, plus the same for the trophy home, these homes will be for the rich and famous. Is that what the State of Oregon has come to represent, a playground up for sale to the highest bidder? Or is it possible to return to what this State used to be known for, a State that had proactive land use planning and laws that protected its wild and scenic areas?

Finally, what is the State of Oregon’s responsibility to protect a federally protected Wild and Scenic River? What is the State’s obligation to protect a federally protected endangered species, such as the Bull Trout in the Metolius River? Let’s not fool ourselves, once you allow this proposed development to be built, others will follow and once the river is ruined and gone, it is gone. Its legacy is in your hands. Pass Senate Bill 30 in its current form.

Thank you for your attention.

Ervin Siverson
3509 NE Alberta Ct.
Portland, OR