Energetic Support For Metolius Basin Protection Bill - Thomas H. Anderson, McMinnville

[Sent to Sen. Gary, and to All State Senators]

Dear Senator George:

I am writing to ask that you give energetic support to a Metolius Basin protection bill.

If protective legislation, such as SB 30 in its original form, is not enacted, the special character of the Metolius Basin will be degraded forever. And there will be specific economic costs generated by the proposed destination resort that will end up being paid and assumed by parties other than the developer. 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 the resort, 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 and their descendants. Informed decision making, by legislators and by voters, requires such cost analysis.
I look forward to receiving your response.

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