Dear Representative:I am writing to urge you to support, without amendments, Senator Westlund's Senate Bill 30.
Powerful development companies, planning to build destination resorts near the Metolius River, are even now lobbying the House in an effort to weaken or kill Senate Bill 30.
One such resort, containing over 3000 homes and 2 Golf Courses, is sited directly above the Metolius. It will need water, alot of it, and the wells it drills could tap into the aquifer that is the source of the Metolius River. Any draw down of this aquifer threatens the flow of the River and all those creatures dependent upon it.
This [See image] is the headwaters of the Metolius River.
Thousands of visitors a year come to walk the banks and marvel at a river that springs full blown from the side of a hill. A river whose water flow is constant and clear, providing habitat for one of the strongest populations of native trout in Oregon. Osprey, Eagles, Ducks and Geese call this river home, as does the tiny community of Camp Sherman, all of whom would suffer the impact of development.
This development will sit in the middle of national forest lands. In such cases, the Forest Service has a mandate to protect life and property in case of wildfires and, as the B & B Complex fire proved, this area is prone to wildfires. Fire fighters will have to divert precious resources to protect such a development, putting more of our forests at risk. Who pays the Tens of millions of dollars it costs to fight such fires, not the developer, it is the citizens of Oregon.
On the surface you may see this as a local land use issue and prefer not to revisit the reasons why Jefferson County rezoned a timber parcel for a housing development, a "destination resort". It comes down to money. Money for the tax base of Jefferson County and Money in the pockets of developers who will, based on other developments of this class, price just the bare land for each home at $500,000 X 3000=1.5 Billion dollars.
Seven years ago when this land was purchased, it could not be subdivided and was originally zoned for logging of all trees 21" or less. Jefferson County's rezoning of this land has increased it's value 100 fold.
The danger that 3000 new homes pose to the fragile ecosystem of the Metolius Basin cannot be underestimated. The impact on the water table alone should give one pause for thought, as well as the damage to the river's water quality from sewage and fertilizer run off.
How ironic that the very reason the developers chose this pristine site for development
would be diminished forever by their very presence.
I have lived my entire life (45 years) in the state of Oregon and I have never spoken out on a political issue before. However I cannot remain silent while this magical jewel of a river is threatened. I have fished rivers and streams through out the State and have not seen anything to match the clarity of the water in the Metolius.
I am not alone in recognizing the attributes of this area. Just before the Normandy invasion of Europe in World War II Gen. George Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, called up a friend, Erskine Wood, and said that he expected in a short time to be extremely busy and wanted a few days rest. He asked to spend that time at Erskine’s camp on the Metolius because he could think of no more restful spot.
At the turn of the century the majority of the Metolius River Basin was privately owned by lumberman intent on clear cutting the area. They waited for a rail line to go through on the Santiam Pass to move their timber to market. That rail line never came. The land remained, the trees remained, and this magical river runs through it all. The Metolius River Basin is a gift to us from the past, a twist of fate has left it to the citizens of Oregon intact.
The River flows past Indian reservations, past county lines, into the Deschutes River, and from there into the Columbia. It is designated a wild and scenic river by the federal government.
Generations of Oregonians have brought their children here to experience the beauty of nature first hand, and those children have returned with their children.
1.5 Billion dollars, it's easy to see why the land was rezoned by Jefferson County.
But I live in a state who has been represented in the past by legislators with the vision to see beyond immediate profit. I live in a state that that has led the nation in forward thinking, the Bottle Bill, and Public Beaches to name a few examples. I live in a state that had the forethought to make "Quality of Life" a tangible idea and protect it.
Governance is by no means an easy task and I am fully aware that you face enormous pressure from your constituency. However, you are also empowered to act in the best interest of Oregon's future citizens, and that future includes making wise decisions despite the vagaries of business interests or public opinion.
And now it falls to you representative, will you protect that which cannot be replaced? Will you stand up as your predecessors have done and protect the things that make Oregon, Oregon?
Who speaks for this river and it's pure waters.

I ask you for your support for Senate Bill 30.
Sincerely,
Russell Eaton
Portland, OR
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