"In My View" - Dick Kellogg, Camp Sherman

(The following piece, submitted by Dick Kellogg and titled "Legislature should step in and protect the Metolius basin," originally appeared in the Bulletin - www.bendbulletin.com - on March 29th 2007:)

IN MY VIEW

The March 25, 2007 Bulletin editorial entitled NIMBY bill to ‘rescue’ the Metolius has misread a situation that has serious consequences for the Metolius River Basin. The editorial had to do with Ben Westlund’s recently introduced legislation (Senate Bill 30) which would prohibit major destination resorts in and within 3 miles of the Metolius River Basin.

In my view, Jefferson County used poor judgment in designating two properties in and adjacent to the Metolius River Basin as eligible for major destination resorts. 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. It 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 those who are closest to it – namely, people like the Johnson family.

The Bulletin editorial chastises Betsy Johnson, who supports Senate Bill 30, for burnishing the family legacy of preserving the Metolius Basin by “forcing other people to sacrifice the value of their property, as SB 30 would do”. The editorial further admonishes 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 do you suppose 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 huge impacts on this sensitive 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 has made a poor compromise.

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. Do the residents of Deschutes County realize that 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?

Yes, the Jefferson County Commissioners have been self serving in their decision to allow and encourage these two destination resorts (the only two sites made eligible in the county, by the way). The decision has ignored the potential impacts on the Metolius River Basin. And yes, it is appropriate and timely that the State legislature step in and override this irresponsible county action.


by Dick Kellogg
Camp Sherman resident and Friends of the Metolius board member.