In getting with the modern spirit, and increasing the ways in which we interact with the public, LandWatch has now launched a Facebook page and a Twitter page.

This June, the Bend-based land use advocacy group Central Oregon LandWatch added three new members to its Board of Directors, expanding its board from four to seven.

Economist and former Deschutes County Planning Commissioner Brenda Pace was added along with former Deschutes County Planning Director Catherine Morrow and former State Senator and attorney Charlie Ringo.

In its July 2010 issue, Oregon Business editor Robin Doussard discusses the issue of destination resorts and their uncertain future. The article's an interesting read, containing comments from a variety of stakeholders.

Earlier this month, LandWatch submitted comments to a Deschutes County Hearings Officer opposing a minor partition of 1,306 acres of F1 Forest land just south of the main 33,000 Skyline Forest tract. The proposal, by the landowner, Bank of Whitman, is to divide the property into three separate parcels for the purpose of residential development. (Apps# MP-10-3 and MA-10-4)

Adding to an already controversial effort to remap county lands and rewrite county policies for destination resorts, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners recently proposed two additional amendments AFTER the close of public comments.

One of the most essential elements to the recovery of a threatened or endangered species is the designation and subsequent protection of critical habitat. And vast reaches of the upper Deschutes have been determined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to be critical to the survival of threatened bull trout.

On March 1, 2010 LandWatch submitted the following comments expressing mostly opposition to (and disappointment with) the Board of Commissioners' direction to expand the destination resort zone to include new properties instead of, as had previously been discussed, shrinking the map considerably in an effort to address extreme public opposition to destination resorts.

Central Oregon LandWatch recently submitted comments to the United States Forest Service regarding its efforts to establish a management plan and perform an environmental assessment for Whychus Creek and the surrounding area. Although we're supportive of the concept and appreciate of the conservation direction that the Forest Service is pursuing, we believe more specificity and some additional amendments will be required to address key conservation concerns.

Central Oregon LandWatch played an active role in the shaping and passage of legislation related to natural resource protection, conservation, and sustainable economic polices during 2010’s interim legislative session. Here’s a quick breakdown of our legislative involvement and related outcomes.

Attached are LandWatch's comments to the Deschutes County Planning Commission regarding our concern with destination resorts and further policy direction aimed at accommodating the industry and increasing development options rather than dealing with the problems that have created by current resort policy and existing developments/proposals.

Yesterday afternoon, LandWatch learned that the historic campaign to Save the Metolius! was nominated for a prestigious "Wheelie" award by the Oregon Bus Project, an "innovative vehicle for hands-on democracy" dedicated to mobilizing voters and activists from around the state to support progressive causes.

Just a quick note for now, but the Metolius Protection Act has now passed the full Oregon Legislature (31-28) and is on its way to the Governor's desk to be signed into law. A full update will follow soon with details on what this means and how the vote came down.

For those of you that haven't heard, House Bill 2228 to save the Skyline Forest has also passed the full Legislature. We've put tremendous effort into each of these bills and will be back with more details soon.

This is a proud moment for us personally, and for all of Central Oregon. Thanks to everyone who made this happen!

Note: The April 7th hearing was attended by far more people than had the opportunity to testify. A followup hearing is scheduled from 3pm-5pm on Thursday April 9th in Hearing Room E before the House Land Use Committee.

If you signed up on Tuesday and didn't get a chance to speak, we'd encourage you to attend Thursday's hearing and express your support for HB 3100. If you could not attend Tuesday's hearing, but can attend Thursday's hearing, this is your chance to be heard on this important issue. Please read the rest of this alert for important information on this issue.