Asking For Energetic Support - Thomas Anderson, McMinnville

Honorable Members of the House Elections, Ethics, and Rules Committee:
[Also Sent to House Democratic Leadership]

I am writing to ask that you give energetic support to a Metolius Basin protection bill. I love to go to the Metolius River for the day or to camp because I enjoy its quiet beauty. The Metolius River Basin is one of the most unique natural and scenic wonders in Oregon, in the country, and in the world. We have in the middle of our state a treasure to be cherished and preserved for generations to come. Current and future generations of Oregonians are in danger of losing the quiet, uncrowded character of this precious treasure if we allow destination resorts to be developed in the Metolius Basin.

If protective legislation, such as SB 30, is not enacted, the special character of the Metolius Basin will be degraded forever by traffic, crowds, and commercialization. And there will be specific economic costs generated by the construction of destination resorts that will end up being paid and assumed by parties other than the developers. Here is one example: The Jefferson County Planning department uses the Institute of Transportation Trip Generation Manual to assign 9.6 trips per day to each house. If 3500 houses are built in a destination resort (as in one currently proposed), that will generate 33,600 vehicle trips per day on the Camp Sherman road. What will that cost in road maintenance and expansion, traffic, pollution, and carbon emissions? Are we not at a critical time when our public officials are directed to enact legislation reducing carbon emissions to address threatening global warming trends (rather than approving plans which will dramatically increase emissions)?

Before voting to allow development of destination resorts in the Metolius Basin, I think you need to assess the actual short and long term costs to your constituents, the citizens of Oregon, and their descendants. Informed decision making, by legislators and by voters, requires such cost analysis.

I hope to see that you have voted in favor or SB 30.

Sincerely,
Thomas H. Anderson

Law Offices of Thomas H. Anderson, P.C.
McMinnville, Oregon