Metolius Letter Bank 2009

Please accept my praise for the timely manner in which DLCD has handled Governor Kulongoski’s charge to designate the Metolius Basin an ACSC. I know he did not give you a lot of time to get the job done. In my opinion, the management plan you have developed is admirable in its philosophy and scope. It is particularly meaningful, in my opinion, that, after receiving extensive public testimony in both Sisters and Madras, the second draft incorporated changes that do truly protect both the surface and subsurface water resources of the basin by extending the boundary of the ACSC beyond the actual surface drainage basin.

I have been involved in this controversy for quite some time. In fact, I have been intimately involved in the land use processes of Jefferson County as they relate to the Metolius for over 15 years. I urge you to resist the pressures that will undoubtedly be exerted by the county to alter the existing draft so that some sort of development can be allowed. My long history of dealing with them has proven to me beyond a doubt that they are more interested in the financial benefits that can be derived from development than they are in protecting the outstandingly remarkable natural values of this gem that sits in a far corner of their jurisdiction.

Those of us living in Camp Sherman are not just a bunch of NIMBY’s. We feel like we are the protectors of this precious resource for all the people of Oregon. We welcome everyone here and we thank you on both their behalf and ours for your efforts to preserve the Metolius.

Happy Trails,
Tom Landis
Camp Sherman, OR
March 2, 2009

Tags: Whitman

I believe HB 2226, which seeks to protect the Metolius River basin, is inadequate, as it exists. It would not prevent the development of a huge destination resort (DR) atop Green Ridge. Please add language to exclude DRs and any other large scale developments within 3 miles of the Metolius Basin and its watershed. Prospective developers are “waving fistfulls of cash” as they demand their “rights” in Salem. We, who vote, are using our equally powerful collective voice to ask you to fix HB 2226 to protect something that the rest of us value more than money — a wild and scenic river that pours out of the ground over a few miles, bubbling up in the form of cold, clear springs. The Metolius and its aquifer belongs to no one and everyone. We are responsible for preserving this groundwater for humans, fish and wildlife — for my grandkids and yours … for Oregon. HB 2226 must afford the Metolius River basin no less than total protection from any type of large scale development, whether or not there is a golf course involved.
At present, no land owner has a “right” to develop a destination resort in the Metolius Basin or anywhere else in Jefferson County. When the would-be developers originally purchased their property, their “rights” extended only so far as the cutting of trees and construction of a single residence. In fact, prospective developers of Metolius River DRs seek to take away rights from US — the people of Oregon and those who love the Metolius basin. Its waters above and below ground belong to us ALL!
Public meetings continue to confirm Central Oregon residents’ aversion to DRs. Everyone knows that there are FAR too many of them in Central Oregon. We resent their destructive impact on our environment and precious groundwater. Indeed, today’s headline in the Bend Bulletin issues a timely warning: “Drop in Groundwater Perplexes Scientists”. A “mysterious” drop in groundwater levels in the triangle between Redmond, Prineville and Powell Butte has scientists “baffled”. If the trend were to continue it would be “troubling”. Troubling indeed! Those of us who live here aren’t baffled. The drop corrolates with the mushrooming of Eagle Crest, Pronghorn and Brasada Ranch DRs with their multiple, thirsty golf courses, thousands of homes with pools and hot tubs, fertilized green lawns, flushing toilets and streams of visitors jamming up our roads and highways. Project this disgusting excess on the Metolius basin. What do you have? Destruction of a federally designated wild and scenic waterway treasured by Oregonians of all ages. We MUST protect the Metolius Basin! Please amend HB 2226 to ensure this is the case.
There is presently $400 MILLION of unsold DR property on the market in Central Oregon. The number continues to climb just as groundwater continues to disappear. Allowing the construction of MORE will only HURT the many good folks who have ALREADY invested in DR property — and who are now trying to unload it, because basically, it is a big, fat financial anchor — emblematic of an unfortunate economic phase that we Central Oregonians would all rather forget.
Please craft HB 2226 in a way that prohibits ALL large-scale development (including a no-golf course “eco-resort”) ANYWHERE within three miles of the sensitive Metolius basin. If we allow deterioration of the federally designated wild and scenic Metolius waterway, the result will be yet another round of “perplexed” scientists. The rest of us will simply mourn the loss of a river that springs like magic out of the ground over the course of only a few miles. Future generations will never experience that magic, the wonder of which transfixed me as a child as I and my dad hiked along its headwaters in the early 1960s.

Thank you in advance for amending HB 2226 to protect the ENTIRE Metolius River basin and surrounding area from destination resorts and any other large-scale development.

Toby Bayard
Bend, OR
February 23, 2009

Tags: Courtney, Cowan, Devlin, Dingfelder, Esquivel, Garrett, Hunt, Nolan, Telfer, Wingard

I applaud Governor Kulongoski’s efforts to protect the environmentally sensitive Metolius Basin from destination resorts (DRs). I ask that he continue to stand firm in protecting the Basin’s groundwater and headwaters from invasive and unnecessary DR development. Prospective developers are “waving fistfulls of cash” as they demand their rights in Salem. We, who vote, are using our equally powerful collective voice to express our will. There can be NO DRs anywhere in or around the sensitive Metolius River basin.

Everyone knows that there are FAR too many DRs in Central Oregon. Public meetings continue to confirm the public’s aversion to them. We oppose their destructive impact on our environment and precious groundwater. Indeed, today’s Bend Bulletin has this headline: “Drop in Groundwater Perplexes Scientists”. A “mysterious” drop in groundwater levels in the triangle between Redmond, Prineville and Powell Butte has scientists “baffled”. If the trend were to continue it would be “troubling”. What the article doesn’t state (but what is evident to those of us who live here) is that the drop in groundwater corrolates with the mushrooming of Eagle Crest, Pronghorn and Brasada Ranch. These DRs — with their multiple, thirsty golf courses, thousands of homes with pools and hot tubs, fertilized green lawns, flushing toilets and streams of visitors jamming up our highways — are not welcome.

Projecting what has happened around Redmond and Prineville to the Metolius basin, it’s easy to envision wider swaths of Central Oregon becoming parched and dry. If the public and/or Oregon’s elected officials relax our guard for even a moment, we will be complicit in its destruction. And, while Governor Kulongoski is continues to take steps in the right direction, he cannot allow ANY compromise on this particular issue. There can be NO DRs anywhere in or around the sensitive Metolius River basin.

If we allow DRs, the deterioration of the federally designated wild and scenic Metolius waterway will “perplex” a new round of scientists. The rest of us will simply mourn the loss of a river that springs like magic out of the ground over the course of only a few miles. Future generations will never experience that magic, the wonder of which transfixed me as a child as I and my dad hiked along its headwaters in the early 1960s.

Please continue to place the highest priority on protecting the Metolius basin. Please ignore the self-serving arguments about the “rights” of developers. When we allow “rights and privilege” to trump the interests of everyday people, we all lose. Good government MUST protect the interests of the “greater number”. There is clear evidence that the greater number has taken this position: There can be NO DRs anywhere in or around the sensitive Metolius River basin.

Thank you for continuing to do the right thing and for continuing to protect the ENTIRE Metolius River basin and surrounding area from destination resorts.

Toby Bayard
Bend, OR
February 23, 2009

Tags: Carrier

Thank you for holding the hearings, I am sorry due to prior commitments I cannot attend the one tonight in Sisters but will go to the one in Madras March 11.

I am voicing my strong opposition to ANY destination resort development in and around the Metolius Basin; large or ’small’ scale. I have been a full time resident here since 1989 and have worked to protect the fragile natural resource since then. Allowing the flanking of Camp Sherman and the Metolius Basin on two sides with ‘resorts’ that most likely would become just two more thinly disguised full time subdivisions, is outrageous! Increasing the number of houses within a few miles on each side of Camp Sherman by almost 3000, and overnight rooms by over 1000, would be an irreversible, regrettable travesty.

I’m concerned about problems with water quality and total amounts withdrawn from this watershed for golf, landscaping and hundreds of new houses, wildlife overlays, scenic view resource protection so close to Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, protecting the dark night sky form excess lighting, WUII fire protection challenges, increased traffic in basin and on the main highway into Sisters, increased negative social behaviors that come with increased populations in rural areas (ie attracting crime) and the overall integrity of a special place that thousands of caring visitors come to for relaxing, communing with nature, to escape pressures of urban lifestyles.

Please don’t allow the ruin of “the destination” for the common citizen, with high-end resorts… whether marketed as ‘eco’ or not, they are proposing hundreds of permanent structures in a fragile environment and in no way can qualify as eco logical to be built right between a Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River. Black Butte Ranch and dozens of other existing resorts in Central Oregon surely fill the demand for golf oriented resorts.

This beautiful place is already suffering the abuses of those, few but highly impacting people, who come here and are careless about leaving no trace of their activities. The Wild and Scenic River & and its watershed needs the highest protection it can get, as Oregon’s own state laws don’t fully protect it, (yet!) sad to say. From studying a map, it looks like the proposed Ponderosa development’s thirsty wells could easily tap right into the same elevation as the underground aquifers that feed the source of the river! To allow that is simply unconscionable… it is too risky to assume any risk in affecting the the springs, the source of the river, the heart of this natural wonder.

Madeleine Landis
Camp Sherman
February 17, 2009

PS You have two glaring omissions on your map that shows the buffer zones and proposed resorts. I don’t know how you did this (hope not intentional…) but you left out Camp Sherman… which sits like a bull’s eye right between the two proposals.
Also, you omitted the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Boundary. It is vital to show how close it is to the entire west side of the basin, and the Dutch Pacific proposal.

Please add these two important designations on all future maps, so people can see what all this really means. I’m a Geographer and know maps, and this one is totally ineffective for these crucial reasons, as it does not show the whole picture.
Thank you!

Tags: LCDC

There comes a time when it is clear, to do the right thing. Many times, the course of action is shrouded in shades of grey and shadow. This choice, this course of action, is not. There should not be, never be, resorts, golf courses, development allowed anywhere near the Metolius River. A wild and wonderful place such as the Metolius must be saved for current and future generations. Development and yes, money…..should not be allowed to destroy this beautiful and rare place. Some areas, some things, should not be compromised, and thus lost. Truly, the Metolius River and the surrounding area, which is my families favorite place in this wide world, is such a place. I urge all who have power to, all who can speak, all who can rally to save this Central Oregon gem to do so. Please…do not allow development….protect and save the Metolius River. It is the right, no, the right and only thing to do.

Sincerely,
Bob Hammond
February 10, 2009

I want to express my strong support for designating the Metolius Basin as an Area of Critical State Concern. My wife and I are part owners of a forest service cabin on the Metolius (Tract C). We are deeply familiar with the area, and with Camp Sherman. I’ve followed the debate over the destination resorts since 2007, and have written several blog posts on the subject, most recently a few days ago:

http://hinessight.blogs.com/hinessight/2009/02/keep-resorts-out-of-the-metolius-river-basin.html

Proponents of the resorts like to say that Jefferson County is in favor of them. This is misleading. We’re members of the Metolius River Forest Homeowners Association and Friends of the Metolius. We also chat with local Camp Sherman residents when we visit our cabin.

I’ve been told that when Jefferson County held a public hearing in Camp Sherman, opposition to the rezoning that allowed the resorts was almost unanimous. Yet the county commissioners went ahead and pushed through the plan anyway.

As noted in the above-mentioned blog post, commissioner Bill Bellamy gave this reason for approving the rezoning: “Whether or not you like what destination resorts have done, it’s phenomenally significant what they do to property tax revenues.”

This shows how short-sighted and tax-revenue-focused decision makers in Jefferson County have been. Environmental and local concerns have been given short shrift. So designating the Metolius Basin as an ACSC is entirely justified, given that this area is a unique state treasure at risk of being trashed by money hungry county commissioners — who are willing to allow long-term harm to the Metolius Basin in exchange for a promise of increased property taxes.

It simply makes no sense to allow 3,000 homes to be added to a “wild and scenic” recreation area where currently only several hundred people live. The proposed destination resorts would damage the character of the Metolius Basin — regardless of the eco-friendly verbiage that one of the would-be developers likes to throw out in support of his resort.

The only people in favor of the destination resorts appear to be a few county elected officials, those standing to profit from the developments, and a decided minority of local residents. The Metolius Basin truly is of statewide concern and shouldn’t be endangered by the self-centered actions of a few individuals.

Sincerely,

Brian Hines
Salem, OR
Febraury 10, 2009

Tags: LCDC

Dear Mr. Esquivel:

Although I was encouraged that HB 2226 would prohibit the siting of destination resorts in the Metolius Basin, I am also opposed to a much larger 2 golf-course, 2500-unit destination resort proposed only a few miles from the Metolius Headwaters by Ponderosa Land & Cattle Co. It would be wrong to locate large-scale destination resorts within only a few miles of the majestic Headwaters of the Metolius.

Destination resorts are not the solution to Oregon’s financial and economic challenges. Destination resorts do not create many well paying full-time jobs. The majority of destination resort jobs are low-paying and seasonal. Low-paying and seasonal workers may eventually look to the state and local government for financial assistance and other social benefit programs that Oregon can ill afford. An influx of seasonal and temporary workers should not be encouraged.

Sincerely yours,

Edna Moore
Gold Hill, OR
February 8, 2009

Tags: Esquivel

The Metolius River has one of the most beautiful and unique watersheds in Oregon. It deserves our respect and protection.

Many user groups visit the Metolius to enjoy it’s natural wonders. Every time I visit I am amazed at the health and vitality of the clear cold water…very cold. The wild fish are an important part of this ecosystem and they need the clean water.

Please help protect the Metolius for everyone who loves wild places. The Metolius basin does not need a mega-resort or a golf course. It’s already heaven.

Sincerely,

Steve Brehm
Eugene, Oregon
February 5, 2009

Tags: Esquivel, Garrett, Wingard

We want you to know that we fully support Gov. Kulongoski’s in his efforts to restrict resort development in the Metolius Basin. HB 2226, however, does not go far enough in protecting the Metolius Basin from these developments. It will not prevent the Ponderosa Land and Cattle Company’s proposed gigantic destination resort only 4 miles from the Metolius River and its tributaries.

The Metolius Basin is an absolutely unique gem of exquisite natural beauty, pristine waters, fabulous fly fishing and an unbelievable restorative natural balm for those who visit there. It will be devastated by ill-advised development that cannot be reversed. In support of this opinion we have attached a compelling article by Tom Davis PE which very clearly and expertly presents the dangers to the Metolius Basin if these proposed resorts are allowed to proceed.

It is no wonder that support for preventing these developments comes not just from people who live near the area but from everywhere in the state, the country and even internationally.

Those individuals who would create invasive huge resorts attracting literally thousands of homeowners cite job creation, profits and loss of investments if not allowed to proceed. Yet, if they are allowed to proceed, they will destroy forever, for transient personal gain, the irreplaceable character of this marvelous state asset.

As in Deschutes County, there are other more suitable places to the east in Jefferson County where developments of the type requested could be built.

We ask that you and your House colleagues develop legislation that will prevent ANY resort development in the Metolius Basin. Please be a part of preserving this precious and unique Oregon treasure for all time and for the pleasure of all the people.

Sincerely,
Michael H. and Nancy Graham
Portland, OR
February 5, 2009

Tags: All Representatives

When we wrote to you earlier this week we did not realize that HB 2226 does not go far enough in protecting the Metolius Basin from resort development. It will not prevent the Ponderosa Land and Cattle Company’s proposed gigantic destination resort only 4 miles from the Metolius River and its tributaries.

We have attached a compelling article by Tom Davis PE which very clearly and expertly presents the dangers to the Metolius Basin if the proposed resorts are allowed to proceed.

We ask that you and your senate colleagues develop legislation that will prevent ANY resort development in the Metolius Basin. Please be a part of preserving this precious and unique Oregon treasure for all time and for the pleasure of all the people.

Michael and Nancy Graham
Portland, OR
February 5, 2009

Tags: All Senators Except Ferrioli

I would like to address the following Key Question posed by LCDC:

3) Should an ACSC provide relief to property owners if they are unable to proceed with resort development as a result of the ACSC?

If this is a matter of fairness, consider the following:

Both these developers purchased their properties very recently as zoned for Forest Management use.
As experienced developers, they certainly know the risks of their trade. Getting these properties designated as eligible for destination resorts is clearly part of that risk.

Although the county approved the rezoning, it is still under legal challenge at the Supreme Court and is not final. (Processing of appeals is as much a part of the land planning prerogative as is the county’s process of approval.) Expending funds toward development planning under these circumstances was at the Developer’s risk - not at the county’s or the state’s risk.

The only “right” they have, and have paid for, is to use the land as allowed in the Forest Management zone.

Consider the other side of the equation: If allowed to use the property for Destination Resort development, shouldn’t they reimburse the county for the incredible value added to their property?

Compensation is not appropriate nor warranted.

Thank you for considering these factors in your decision.

Dick Kellogg
Camp Sherman Oregon
February 4, 2009

Tags: LCDC

As a child who grew up in Central Oregon, our delight and privilege was to live near the pristine Metolius River, feeding the fish under the Camp Sherman bridge, and watching the avid fly fisherman tenderly drop his hook into the fast flowing water. We were taught as children to protect the river, to look in awe at the headwaters as they sprinkled out of the rock, as we learned not to step on the tender underbrush. We stood in awe as the river flowed past the view of the majestic Mt. Jefferson…..and learned to love the beauty of Oregon and to preserve it for all Oregonians. Like Gov. Tom McCall who was intuitive enough to keep the Oregon beaches for public access, again Oregonians are faced with a choice: to preserve one of the most beautiful natural rivers (known nation wide for its fast flowing waters and fly- fishing), or allow development (why does it need to be done here?) to come in and change it FOREVER.

Is development of “golf-resorts, and more housing,” imperative to THIS region? Does it need to be done HERE? Do money and wealth do ALL the speaking? OR do we consider what we are proposing? To destroy the natural beauty of a pristine area, to allow access to only those who can afford a “look at the river” and to add another development for the rich to retire in Oregon seems senseless. Like the City of Bend, who forever regrets tearing down the Pilot Butte Inn where many Presidents had stayed, and Grand Balls had taken place, will we all live in regret again as to what we failed to preserve????

If we as Oregonians are to continue to recognize our state, we will begin to set limits on the vital natural resources that so endears us to this state. I cannot even think of Oregon without the access for all Oregonians to the beauty of the Metolius River. Let us stand firm in wanting it to remain the same, it is indeed PROGRESS to preserve that which makes Oregon home.

In support of preserving the Metolius River…

Frances Allen (long time Central Oregon Resident, Bend Oregon)
Livermore, CA
February, 2

Tags: Cowan, Esquivel, Garrett, Nolan, Wingard

This letter is in reference to destination resorts in and around the Metolius River Basin. I urge you NOT to support any legislation which allows these developments in and around the Metolius Basin. HB 2226 does prohibit Dutch Pacific Resources from developing a 640-destination resort, called the “Metolian”, in the Metolius Basin but it does not go far enough. The 2500 unit destination resort, proposed by the Ponderosa Land and Cattle Company, is only a few miles from the Metolius Headwaters and this development must be stopped in order to protect a beautiful and fragile natural environment.

As a small child, I camped with my family along the Metolius, and later, I fished the river with my father. I’ve walked every trail along the river, enjoying the solitude, fresh air, wild flowers, and the job of being in one of Oregon’s premier recreation areas. As a grandmother, I love taking my grandchildren to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery where they get an up-close and personal experience feeding the beautiful rainbow trout. There is nothing like watching a child as the big fish approaches and takes the feed, and swims away with a flash of his rainbow and a huge splash of his tail.

Destination resorts will forever change this beautiful area and impact the natural habitat of fish, deer, elk, bear, mountain lions, birds and many other species of wild life. The impact of such developments on the water table is not entirely known, but that they would impact the Deschutes River and the Metolius River flows, is known. Reduced water flow may very well change this world-class fishing stream, our Metolius River. There should be some areas that are so priceless in terms of their natural beauty, that money cannot buy them. Let it be said that the legislature of Oregon preserved this beautiful area for all Oregonians to enjoy for now and for future generations.

If you have not visited this beautiful area of our state, I urge you to do so. Visit the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery, and the headwaters of the Metolius with its amazing view of Mt. Jefferson, and walk a few of the trails along the river. Then ask yourself what huge destination resorts (subdivisions in the forest) with their increased traffic, need for more access and bigger and better roads, water requirements for condominiums and residential housing, not to mention golf courses, will do to this fragile and beautiful natural resource that we so love and enjoy.

Please lend your support to developing a bill that will keep destination resorts out of the Metolius River Basin and away from the Headwaters of the Metolius.

Sincerely,
Lynn Mary Sale
February 2, 2009

Tags: Cowan, Esquivel, Garrett, Nolan, Wingard

I am writing to request that you prevent the zoning for, and construction of, destination resorts in the Metolius basin.

I have recreated in Central Oregon for over thirty years and been a resident of Sisters for almost eleven. During that time I have witnessed the construction of resorts and numerous golf courses. The golf courses, as I am sure you are aware, are merely covers for the development of subdivisions that consist of large homes squatting around the development. Built for and by people with more money than taste. The majority of these homes I understand remain empty for most of the year.

The High Desert cannot sustain the wanton development of golf courses that drain our meager water resources. It is obvious to most of us, but not it would appear to those few who stand to gain financially from such unsustainable development. I am not impressed with the shibboleth that the taxes and jobs that these endeavors create can justify the environmental degradation. Most of the permanent jobs these resorts create do not pay wages that support families. In the winter when the resorts and golf courses close, the jobs go away, and in the summer when the jobs become available again, it is not uncommon for these employees to have to live in the woods because they cannot afford the local rents.

In closing, I have hiked along the Metolius River for many years and I simply cannot conceive that those who wish to profit from and destroy this beautiful area will prevail.

Margaret Zimet
Sisters, OR
February 2, 2009

Tags: Kulongoski, Merkley, Wyden

We want you to know that we fully support Gov. Kulongowski’s efforts to restrict resort development in the Metolius Basin. We ask you to back him in his efforts.

The basin is an absolutely unique gem of exquisite natural beauty, pristine waters, fabulous fly fishing and an unbelievable restorative natural balm for those who visit there. It will be devastated by ill-advised development that cannot be reversed. It is no wonder that support for preventing these developments comes not just from people who live near the area but from everywhere in the state, the country and even internationally.

Those individuals who would create invasive huge resorts attracting literally thousands of homeowners cite job creation, profits and loss of investments if not allowed to proceed. Yet, if they are allowed to proceed, they will destroy forever, for transient personal gain, the irreplaceable character of this marvelous state asset.

As in Deschutes County, there are other more suitable places to the east in Jefferson County where developments of the type requested could be built.

We will continue our efforts to prevent resort development in the Metolius Basin.

Sincerely,
Michael H. Graham
Nancy A. Graham
Portland, OR
February 2, 2009