Short-Sighted Move - Ervin Siverson, Portland

Dear Rep. [Chip] Shields:
I am writing to offer my support of Senate Bill 30 that addresses siting issues of destination resorts, specifically the Metolius River Basin. In a short-sighted move, Jefferson County has proposed the siting of two areas of land within the Metolius Basin for destination resorts. As you are probably aware, the Metolius Basin is a state treasure that already is showing stress from overuse due to the rapid growth of the Bend area/Deschutes County. Jefferson County Commissioners believe they are being forward thinking by siting this land for destination resorts in order to increase their tax base, yet the development of these lands will destroy the natural beauty of the area. With Senator Ron Wyden pushing to restore federal tax dollars for logging dollars lost, this potential tax revenue for Jefferson County is not needed. The headwaters of the Metolius River were donated to the people of the State of Oregon for all to enjoy; and with the Metolius having a Wild and Scenic River designation, Senate Bill 30 makes sense to preserve this designation for generations to come, not for the wealthy few who can afford a resort home. Thanks in advance for your attention to this matter.

Ervin Siverson
Portland, OR

Earnest Support of SB 30 - Mark Dohrmann, Portland

I'd like to express my earnest support of SB. You hopefully are aware of the fragile nature of the Metolius Basin and the need to protect it from destination resorts that could destroy this Oregon natural gem. The Basin simply can not bear the weight of much of a drain on it's resources. Water sources, the very heart of the Metolius, are a huge concern. Destination resorts require tremendous amounts. It should be noted that the Metolius River has shown a decline in volume from its head waters every year for at least the last 5. Further draw downs of water that feeds the Metolius could be enough to strangle it.

Please, please fight long and hard to make those who might not otherwise understand that Oregon's special places need our protection. They can't be recreated later. We must preserve them for the good of all.

Mark Dohrmann
Portland, Oregon 97210

Jefferson County Tax Payer and visitor to the Metolius these past 35 years.

Westlund Proposes Senate Bill 30 - Ervin Siverson, Portland

(Sent to the Bulletin:)

Spring is here and it is close to the time where Oregonians get out and camp in the wilderness. However, one of our most cherished wilderness areas is threatened by the proposed development of two destination resorts. The Metolius River Basin contains some of the most pristine wilderness and water found in this state, yet its natural beauty is being threatened by a proposed 10,000 acre resort on Green Ridge and another 640 acre resort just west of historic Camp Sherman. Senator Ben Westlund has proposed Senate Bill 30 that will limit development of destination resorts in ecologically sensitive areas, and in the Metolius River Basin. A public hearing on this legislation is scheduled for April 5th at 8:15 am at the Capitol Building and I encourage my fellow Oregonians to support this legislation by attending this hearing and by calling their legislators.

Ervin Siverson
Portland, OR

About This Site - Intro and Instructions

Welcome to www.noresorts.blogspot.com. This blog was created and is being maintained by Central Oregon LandWatch, a non-profit advocacy group based in Bend, Oregon. We've created it so that letters sent to lawmakers in support of Oregon's Senate Bill 30 could be banked in a single site on the web where they can be viewed by members of the public and lawmakers alike.

Our goal in creating this site was to find a way to unify the voices of concerned citizens regarding issues east of the Cascades. We firmly believe there is no substitute for showing up in person to deliver your testimony in Salem. But for many of us in Central and Eastern Oregon, it's difficult to make the trip, especially on short notice. Because of this, we believe its important to find new and innovative ways of making our collective voices ring out in unison. We believe that this blog site is one way to accomplish this goal.

If you choose to participate, not only will your letters be posted online, but you'll be able to comment on the letters of others. Perhaps you read something in a letter that you wished you had included in your letter. Instead of - or addition to - writing another letter, you can enter your thoughts as comments which anyone is free to do. (Note: we reserve the right to delete non-constructive or hateful comments.)

Please note that this blog is not an exercise in objective journalism - it is part of a political movement. We are not concerned about fairness or allowing opponents of the bill to have a voice (either in letters or comments) on this blog. If you oppose SB 30 and want a voice of your own, you can submit your own testimony or create your own website. And if you don't want us to post on it, well, that's okay by us.

For those who do support SB 30, we ask that if you'd like to see your letter listed on this site, that you send the text of your testimony (e-mails, written letters, and in-person testimony are all welcomed) to us at info@centraloregonlandwatch.org and note which legislators you delivered it to, the date you delivered it, and who you are. We'll post it up on the site for you.

If you're planning on submitting testimony in the future and want it posted on this site, please cc us or send us a copy of that as well. And if you have any stories, pictures, or any personal testimonials, send those too - the more personal, the better.

Thanks for your interest in this issue, and send in those letters.

-Central Oregon LandWatch