Do Not Let the Metolius Get Destroyed - Michael Graham, Portland

[Sent to the members of the House Rules Committee and copied to House leadership:]

This message is to implore you, as a member of the House Elections, Ethics and Rules Committee to vote to pass, UNCHANGED, Senate Bill 30, a measure passed by the Senate and now in the House. This bill protects the precious Metolius Basin from rapacious development by landowners who have cowed Jefferson County into submission and whose only real interest is in creating profits for themselves and their cronies.

For the last 30 years we have seen the Metolius Basin community slowly grow and the growth has been well managed and it's effects on the basin have been minimal.

The proposed development of no less than 3000 homes on on the 3500 acres of the Colson property and over 300 units on the 640 acres on the Dutch/Pacific property are simply outrageous. The destruction of wildlife habitat, the creation of colossal traffic overloading of the roads, the degradation of water quality and availability, and the additional pollution created by so many new residences in the now pristine area are mind-boggling. This unique basin would be overwhelmed and it's pristine character, a precious possession of ALL THE STATE AND, INDEED, THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, would be forever lost. All for a pitiful modest inflow of tax dollars to the county.

I encourage you to vote for the original uncompromised version of Senate Bill 30 and place a total prohibition of any destination resorts in or within three miles of the Metolius Basin watershed.The Metolius basin is a unique and precious asset to the state and the country...we cannot let it be destroyed by greedy, unthinking and uncaring so-called "developers".

Michael H. Graham, MD
Portland

Maintain Our Most Beautiful Spaces - Mark Inkster, Lake Oswego

[Sent to members of the House Rules Committee:]

Please support SB30 and help to preserve one of the most special places in the state of Oregon.

My family has visited the Metolius basin for five generations, and we consider it one of the most special, unique places in the world, and certainly something to be protected. As Oregon continues to develop, it's critical to maintain our most beautiful spaces as pristine places where we can go to appreciate the wonders of nature. I support economic growth, and I support real estate development. But these should be done responsibly, and with an eye to future generations. The Metolius is best appreciated as a quiet reserve, and large scale development in the Metolius basin is completely inappropriate.

Over the years, I have traveled all over the world, to more than 50 countries. When I come back to Oregon, I always appreciate the wonderful job that our ancestors have done to protect its beautiful places for everybody to enjoy. Whether it's the parks in Portland, the forests of the Cascades, the grasslands and wetlands of southeastern Oregon, our public coastal spaces, or many of the other beautiful places, many generations of leaders have decided to develop our lands wisely. I urge you to maintain this longstanding and proud tradition. It's a key part of what makes Oregon great.

It's a tradition that I have personally tried to uphold. Just a couple of years ago, I sold a piece of undeveloped property bordering Tryon Creek State Park to the State of Oregon at a below market price, because I believe in the goal of maintaining and protecting our beautiful natural places. Like many other Oregonians, I act upon my beliefs.

As a representative of many Oregonians, you have the power to protect this wonderful place, and to give a voice to its beauty. If you are not familiar with the Metolius River, Camp Sherman or Green Ridge, please take the less than 2 hour drive from Salem to see it for yourself and enjoy its calm, peace and beauty.

Thank you for representing me, the many many people like me who support this, and the generations of Oregonians yet to come who will benefit from your thoughtful and far-sighted leadership.

Best regards,

Mark Inkster
Lake Oswego, OR

Please Vote To Protect The Metolius - Nancy Siverson, Portland

Dear Madam Chair Rosenbaum and fellow Election, Ethics and Rules Committee Members:

I am writing to express my full support for Senate Bill 30 that will ban destination resort development in the Metolius River Basin. I am concerned how the water needs of these proposed destination resorts will impact the fragile Metolius River Basin. Adding almost 3,000 homes, two golf courses, various restaurants and all the contrived landscaping with the resulting sewage and other runoff can only impact a spring-fed pristine river such as the Metolius. The developers have promised the moon in regards to protecting the river yet leaving as it is is the only way to assure that my fellow Oregonians and generations to follow will have access to such a beautiful river valley. How will all the development impact other aspects of the Basin, including wildlife; and how does developing in a fire-sensitive area make sense? This area has seen increased foot traffic due to the growth of Central Oregon, and building directly in the Metolius River Basin will over-run the Camp Sherman area leading to the destruction of the Metolius River Basin. Oregon's history is rich with legislators who have had a visionary view of land use laws and environmental protection; legislators who were able to put politics aside and did the right thing for the environment and the present and future citizens of this great state. I respect that you have this same vision, because once it is impacted and ruined, it is gone forever. Thank you for your time and attention.

Please vote to protect the Metolius River Basin and pass SB 30.

Nancy Siverson
Portland, OR

The Fate Of This Special Place Rests With Your Decision - Ervin Siverson, Portland

Dear Rep. Diane Rosenbaum, Chair, Election, Ethics, and Rules Committee:

I am writing to express my full support for Senate Bill 30 that would limit destination resort development in the Metolius River Basin. I speak for the river and its flora and fauna only, I do not own property there and believe that any further development will severely impact and possibly destroy a fragile eco system that should remain in its nearly pristine state. I just returned from a trip to California which included a visit to the Merced River just outside of Yosemite National Park. The Merced is designated as a federal Wild and Scenic River, just as the Metolius is, yet it is neither. California has allowed development of hotels and homes on the river just outside Yosemite's boundary and the results have created a river that is surrounded by concrete without any trees to support river health. I was struck by the difference in water quality, water temperatures and the lack of aquatic life as compared to the Metolius. The Metolius is a state treasure that offers Oregonians a chance to escape from the stressors of everyday life and to camp and visit for very little money. To allow for resort development in the Metolius River Basin such as what is proposed (and once you let any development in, you can bet more will follow) for the benefit of a very few, is short-sighted at best. Let's be honest with each other, these homes that are proposed are not for the typical Oregonian, they will be purchased by the wealthy few turning the Metolius into the playground for the rich and famous; and destroying a pristine watershed that all Oregonians and their future generations should be able to enjoy. The fate of this special place rests with your decision, please support Senate Bill 30 and protect the Metolius River Basin.

Ervin Siverson
Portland, OR

Asking You To Do More - Pat Krause, Portland

Dear Honorable Members of House Elections, Ethics. and Rules Committee:

I am writing to implore you to support Senate Bill 30 as it was passed by the Senate. If this bill is not passed the current pristine nature of the Metolius River Basin will be destroyed. Once destroyed it can never be replaced. We must protect the Metolius now or future generations will remember that we did not have the wisdom or forethought to save one of our greatest national treasures - that we did not care enough.

The Federal government has already recognized the Metolius River and saw that it is protected as a "wild and scenic" river. Past elected officials stood up to those who put "progress" before "quality" and protected and preserved Crater Lake, The Columbia Gorge and our beautiful beaches. I ask you to do the same.

I do so appreciate your long, hard hours at a tough and demanding job. Now I am asking you to do more. I know you will take the time to educate yourselves about the dangers of allowing destination resorts in and near the Metolius Basin, but I ask you to also read the letters from the citizens and learn why the Metolius is such a special place to so many people. Then please show the citizens of Oregon that you have the courage, wisdom and conviction to protect and preserve the quality of life the citizens of Oregon want and deserve. A life that does include growth and success for the state, but not at the expense of our unique and pristine natural resources which can never be replaced, once lost.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Pat Krause
Portland, Oregon

Urging Dallum's Support - Kent Gill, Camp Sherman, OR

Dear Rep. Dallum:
[copied to the Senate Rules Committee]

Although you did not stay the course in sponsoring this important piece of legislation, I urge you to represent the broad cohort of folks who love the Metolius by voting for protecting the Metolius Basin from unwise, permanent despoilation. SB 30 in its full form deserves your favorable action.

An argument advanced by the Bend Bulletin editorials re SB 30 referred to the importance of supporting the local land use authority. That may be a significant abstract principle, but it hardly applies in this case. The Jefferson County Commission, made up of a shifting membership in the last dozen or so years , has consistently decided for development and against the significant array of natural values that mark the Metolius Basin. Folks long associated with the area have fought this series of measures espousing growth at any cost.

They have appeared at hearings, written letters, lobbied the officials, participated in mediation, all to no avail. So they have appealed decisions to LUBA and even to the Circuit Court. of Appeals. The county has been found to have erred in most every one of these unfortunate decisions. They have voted to turn the Basin into a cash cow of real estate values and property taxes while being most niggardly in meeting local needs. So in this case it would seem necessary for the legislature to overturn the county destination resort mapping andyo votie for the environmental values that have been noted and appreciated by generations of Oregonians.

Kent Gill
Camp Sherman, OR

Asking For Energetic Support - Thomas Anderson, McMinnville

Honorable Members of the House Elections, Ethics, and Rules Committee:
[Also Sent to House Democratic Leadership]

I am writing to ask that you give energetic support to a Metolius Basin protection bill. I love to go to the Metolius River for the day or to camp because I enjoy its quiet beauty. The Metolius River Basin is one of the most unique natural and scenic wonders in Oregon, in the country, and in the world. We have in the middle of our state a treasure to be cherished and preserved for generations to come. Current and future generations of Oregonians are in danger of losing the quiet, uncrowded character of this precious treasure if we allow destination resorts to be developed in the Metolius Basin.

If protective legislation, such as SB 30, is not enacted, the special character of the Metolius Basin will be degraded forever by traffic, crowds, and commercialization. And there will be specific economic costs generated by the construction of destination resorts that will end up being paid and assumed by parties other than the developers. 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 a destination resort (as in one currently proposed), 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, the citizens of Oregon, and their descendants. Informed decision making, by legislators and by voters, requires such cost analysis.

I hope to see that you have voted in favor or SB 30.

Sincerely,
Thomas H. Anderson

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

Development Would Have A Devastating Impact - Jim and Lenora Lawrence, Tillamook

[Sent to the members of the Senate Rules Committee:]

Jim and I have been fortunate to be occasional guests at our friend's
cabin at Camp Sherman and so have been interested in SB 30 so we were
very pleased to see the Senate wisely passed this bill.

A destination resort in that fragile area would be a travesty. The
inevitable demands on the water supply for the development would have a
devastating effect on the rivers downstream and to the fish habitat.

I hope you will strongly support Senate Bill 30 and not permit it to be
weakened at all by pressure from special interest groups..

Sincerely,

Jim and Lenora Lawrence
Tillamook, OR

Not Just Another RIver - Michael Funke, Bend

[Sent to the members of the House Rules Committee and Rep. Chuck Burley:]

I urge you to vote for SB 30 and protect the Metolius River.

I have fished many, many rivers and lakes throughout the western U.S. and in Michigan and Canada.

The Metolius is not just another river. It is a special river flowing through spectacular beauty. Yes, there are cabins along the river, and campgrounds. It is not wilderness. But all development along the river to date essentially merges with the landscape.

A destination resort--two destination resorts--will have an immediate combined impact that far outweighs all the past development in Camp Sherman and along the river.

There are many Oregon rivers that deserve special treatment, that demand protection so that we can all enjoy them. The Metolius is one of those rivers.

Destination resorts already dot the landscape of Central Oregon. They have permanently altered the beauty of Powell Butte. We can't afford to keep building these resorts where only the wealthy can afford to recreate and the lowest paid workers in the state are employed.

We can do better. And we can start by protecting the Metolius. I urge you to vote for SB 30.

Michael Funke
Member, Trout Unlimited
Bend