To All House Republicans: Support SB 30 Without Amendment - Leslie McMillan, Brooklyn, NY

(sent to all Republican representatives)

I appreciate your hard work in the Oregon Legislature, and your willingness to stand on principle. I am a conservative Republican and a native Oregonian (originally from Camp Sherman), formerly a political professional in Olympia but now serving in Christian ministry in the foreign country known as Brooklyn, New York. Indeed, there is broad support for unamended SB 30 – Save The Metolius – support beyond one end of the political spectrum in one corner of the country.

I am writing briefly to address an apparent Republican caucus position, at least in the Senate, that the Legislature should not interfere with local land use decisions in this case. This is a valuable principle with a long history in America. Yet we also know of many occasions when valuable principles seem to conflict with one another, and the higher must be chosen. This is such a time.

Surely in your position you have considered the principle of checks and balances, which restrains abuses or errors by any branch or level of government, and offers recourse to citizens. Sadly, Jefferson County’s decision looks like excessive short-term greed at the expense of a wonder of God’s creation that no one has a right to exploit unto destruction. The Senate wisely passed unamended SB 30 with an emergency clause, understanding that stretching out an unassured reversal through the lengthy LUBA appeal leaves the unique Metolius Basin still too exposed to the risks of strong influences on obscure committees with limited accountability to the general public.

You might also be inclined to consider the high principle of stewardship. Sometimes it is difficult to discern the proper balance between preservation of God’s creation and people’s rightful use of it. However, in the case of the Metolius Basin, the stewardship question is not hard to answer. The value of the Metolius Basin springs largely from the incredible origin of the river, which absolutely depends on a huge volume of groundwater constantly flowing to a specific location. This is not a matter of “a tree grows in Brooklyn” (whose disappearance might not be noticed), but of an irreplaceable, carefully created ecosystem entrusted to Oregonians for whom money is not the first love. Large, water-consuming destination resorts might be good in places that they will not destroy, but not near the delicate Metolius Basin. The Metolius has an intrinsic value far above any financial value, and this priority must be honored.

I know you have a lot to think about as the 2007 session draws to a close, and many people are pressuring you about their many urgent bills. I hope and pray that you can spend a few moments, even now, to commit to the high principles that will enable you to support SB 30 without amendments, and to be a voice within your caucus to Save The Metolius.

Blessings,
Leslie McMillan
Brooklyn, New York