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 water rights application asks for water to serve up to 7,000 people, 4 times the population of Sisters. It would also include golf courses. LandWatch has challenged a number of the arguments made in the application and argues that the permit would not be in the public interest, would negatively impact the Metolius and would be contrary to land use laws protecting the Metolius.

Additional details can be found in our protest, which is posted below.