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.

Central Oregon LandWatch is pleased to announce the completion of our in-depth analysis of the costs and benefits of destination resorts in Oregon. This report, entitled, "Fiscal and Economic Impacts of Destination Resorts in Oregon," which was performed by the consulting firm Fodor & Associates out of Eugene, OR represents the best effort to date to assess the impacts of destination resorts in Oregon.

Although the report's primary focus is on fiscal impacts of destination resorts affecting local governments and taxpayers, it also addresses economic impacts related to jobs creation and affordable housing. The most fundamental question that this report seeks to answer is, "How will the approval of a destination resort affect local taxpayers and the general public?"

Today, Representative Brian Clem, Representative Ben Cannon, and a host of additional House members introduced HB 3100, The Metolius Protection Act of 2009. This landmark legislation will provide the strongest protections to date to preserve this Oregon treasure from both current and future threats.

Central Oregon LandWatch is proud to present its first foray into documentary filmmaking with Deep Water: Protecting the Natural Springs and Native Fish of the Deschutes Basin. The film, which was produced locally by Wahoo Films, is a seven-minute account of the threats posed to native fish in the Deschutes Basin as more and more groundwater is pumped for human consumption.

Deep Water: Protecting the Natural Springs and Native Fish of the Deschutes Basin from Central Oregon LandWatch on Vimeo.

Central Oregon LandWatch is urging a “YES” vote on Ballot Title 9-70, “Requiring Nitrogen Reducing Wastewater Treatment Systems in South Deschutes County,” also referred to as “the local rule,” appearing in the March 10 election.

This Saturday, February 28th at 11:00 am, Oregon's House Committee on Land Use will be holding its first hearing of the 2009 legislative session on statewide destination resort policy at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. Specifically, the committee will be taking testimony on House Bill 2227 which was drafted by the Department of Land Conservation and Development at the request of the Governor.

Central Oregon LandWatch is pleased to announce the release of a new report entitled, "An Estimate of Conservation Dollars Invested in the Restoration of the Deschutes Basin." This report provides a detailed accounting of the large-scale, long-term conservation investment being made in the restoration of the Deschutes Basin in support of the reintroduction and health of native fish species.

The following animation was produced for our upcoming film Deep Water: Protecting the Natural Springs and Native Fish of the Deschutes Basin. The point of this animation is to illustrate the impacts of groundwater pumping on springflow and subsequently on stream temperature.

Deep Water Spring Animation from Central Oregon LandWatch on Vimeo.

LandWatch on January 14, 2009 filed a Protest with the Oregon Water Resources Department, opposing OWRD's proposed water permit for the Ponderosa Land & Cattle Co. which plans to build a destination resort just a few miles east of the Headwaters of the Metolius.

The Oregon Supreme Court on December 24, 2008, accepted the Petition for Review of Central Oregon LandWatch, Friends of the Metolius, and Pete Schay and agreed to review the Oregon Court of Appeals decision that land use protections of the Headwaters of the Metolius do not include the spring water that feeds the Headwaters.  In the press release announcing its acceptance of the Petition, the Court stated:

Description: Applicant Central Oregon LandWatch is appealing a decision regarding a proposed template dwelling to be located on an 80-acre parcel in F-1 forest land zone just east of the proposed Skyline Forest development.
Contact: Anthony Raguine, County Planning Division, 541-617-4739, anthonyr@co.deschutes.or.us

Description: Pursuant to a recent approval of a lot line adjustment (LL0798), Applicant is requesting approval of a non-farm dwelling in the EFU zone.
Contact: NA