As we've mentioned in previous posts (here and here) when Governor Kulongoski threatened to veto SB 30 last June, he did so with a promise - that he would task ODF&W, OWRD, and DEQ with addressing causes for concern created by large-scale destination resorts near the Metolius and ask them to evaluate whether or not existing law could address those concerns.

Recently, LandWatch received letters from DEQ and ODF&W via the Governor's office, and just this morning, we received OWRD's letter as well, albeit through unofficial channels. Each is attached to this post below.

Though the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) in a February 11, 2008 decision acknowledged that destination resorts proposed for the Metolius area could have the impact of small cities and ruled that Jefferson County needed to reassess impacts to wildlife, LUBA failed to recognize the need for protection of other natural resources of the Metolius, including its heart, the Headwaters of the Metolius.

On Monday, March 3, Central Oregon LandWatch along with Friends of the Metolius appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals the LUBA determinations that: