Don't Swallow the Poison Pill! - Scott Blau, Lake Oswego

Dear Senator Brown,

I am writing to ask for your support for the original form of SB 30, without the "poison-pill" amendment. The Metolius Basin is very worthy of protection from further development and exploitation. This basin has been designated as a Conservation Area for good reason. For Jefferson County to allow a destination resort on a 627 acre parcel within the basin and a mega-resort on the eastern boundary is an insult to the unique nature of the area and to the existing community. This can't help but overwhelm the area if allowed to be built under current plans. The state legislature needs to stand up to protect this important and scenic part of Oregon.

Jefferson County went through the motions of a rezoning planning process during the last year. It reclassified two large properties as "potential" destination resorts. The overwhelming opposition from the Camp Sherman community plus a large group of opponents from elsewhere in the state and beyond was ignored by the county. The county is motivated by gaining tax revenues on the expensive housing that would be built , without concern for the impact of their plans on the resources of the basin or the community. There are currently only about three hundred dwellings in the basin, concentrated in the Camp Sherman area. The addition of two hundred and twenty five dwellings plus a one hundred unit hotel on the 627 acre site would be an inappropriate jolt to the tight-knit members of this existing community. And that is mild in comparison to the proposed 10,000 acre resort just beyond the eastern boundary of the basin.

Jefferson County is so anxious to allow the development of these two destination resorts, they have not updated the inventory of resouces of the basin that would be impacted. Since the last inventory was taken, there have been major fires in the area, elk have begun wintering near the 627 acre site, and a major effort has been undertaken to revive former salmon runs in the basin, to name a few of the major changes.

The development plan of the smaller of the two planned destination resorts runs counter to the purpose of a destination resort. A true destination resort is supposed to provide on-site amenities to its homeowners and visitors in order to cut down on their impact to the surrounding area. Dutch Pacific Corporation (owner of the 627 acre site) wants to exploit the surrounding public lands for the recreation of its homeowners and other guests. And in return, it will be, for the most part, a gated community that denies the public the use of its property. The no trespassing signs have already gone up. Their recently-purchased property is adjacent to the B and B Complex forestfire zone. That area does not need a concentration of activity during the years necessary for its recovery. Plus this development would create another isolated island of urban-forest interface that is obviously vulnerable to wildfire. This would make it an eventual burden to county, state and federal resources to defend it from inevitable wildfires.

Please consider adding your voice and vote to support the original version of the SB 30 wording that would protect the Metolius Basin from destination resorts. The resources and scenic qualities of this unique area are comparable to those of the Columbia River Gorge that is protected by the same law that SB 30 would be become a part of. The state legislature needs to take action to give this beautiful and unique area the appropriate protection for future generations of Oregonians.

Thank you very much for your consideration of this important piece of legislation.

Sincerely,

Scott Blau
Lake Oswego, OR