Big day for Oregon: Will the Oregon House protect the Metolius?
Kari Chisholm
Today could be a big day in Oregon history. Today's the day that the Oregon House will consider the legislation to protect the Metolius from damaging development. And no one knows how the vote will go down.
After some rough treatment at the hands of the Oregonian editorialists, the effort to protect the Metolius got some support from the O yesterday.
Tuesday's vote in the Oregon House on a bill aimed at blocking two proposed resorts in the Metolius Basin, including a "sustainable resort" named the Metolian, is too close to call. But whatever the outcome, Oregon's land-use officials and legislators ought to make sure that the Metolian, or a proposal much like it, is built somewhere in this state.
Wait a minute! - you're thinking - that doesn't sound like support. Actually, it is.
You see, the Oregonian has shifted from supporting the Metolian Resort developers, to supporting one "much like it" and "somewhere in this state."
And that's exactly what House Bill 2228 will do. I don't understand all the details of the land-use policy, but HB 2228 is set up to allow the transfer of development rights away from the Metolius to another less-critical spot.
HB 2228 passed the Senate on Friday - and now comes back to the House for final passage (having previously passed in another form.) The final vote on 2228 is expected this morning.
Then, at 1 p.m., the main event will be underway. House Bill 3298, which also passed the Senate on Friday, heads back to the House for final passage. (It had passed the House previously when it was something else entirely.) HB 3298 would affirm the unanimous 7-0 decision by the Land Conservation and Development Commission to designate the 400+ square miles of the Metolius basin as an Area of Critical Statewide Concern. If the Oregon House doesn't affirm that vote, development of these mega-resorts will surely roll on.
The vote on protecting the Metolius will be seen someday as a vote as momentous as the 1967 passage of the Beach Bill - the law that establishes public access to the entire Oregon coast (something that's true only of Oregon and Hawaii.)
Oregon should protect this magical piece of the planet. And the Oregon House should do it today. If you agree, call your legislator. The outcome is far from certain.
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7:24 a.m.
Jun 16, '09
FYI:
If all goes well I will be live-blogging the debate and vote from Salem. Hoping to snap some photos of the goings-on,too.
Jun 16, '09
I think this one, like the budget, comes down to lobbying individuals. Any Hass' in the crowd?
Jun 16, '09
I have little doubt the bill and obstruction to growth and jobs will succeed. The usual campaign of misinformation has been sufficient to create the concocted threat to the Metolius.
So what's new? Just another load of fanatasism from Oregon enviro blues who oppose all things growth and jobs while demanding we sacrifice more in the name of the global warming fraud. If I had my way I'd allow the resorts and see them develop without any of the damage claimed. The area would be a stellar addition to Oregon's resort choices for residents and tourists.
Jun 16, '09
Kari:
To answer the question in the title of your post:
Yes.
11:08 a.m.
Jun 16, '09
Apparently HB 2228 passed the House 31-28.
There's now a discussion of HB 2227 on the Senate floor - a minority report by Atkinson was voted down. House Bill 2227 - to update Oregon's destination resort law, and make sure that destination resorts are resorts, rather than costly residential subdivisions, is up.
Sen. Dingfelder's doing a great job of carrying the bill and explaining the value of passing it.
Vote: Sens. Metsger and Walker join all 12 Republicans in voting No. Passes 16-14. Walker and Atkinson file vote explanations.
Jun 19, '09
I purchased the ralph lauren polo t-shirt for my friend as a gift and he was SO excited he wore it the very next day. When I asked him about how many compliments he received he just grinned. Apparently everyone loved it!
While it's such a great shirt, just be such not to over wear it!
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