Hello everyone,

Good news! - Senate Bill 30 has been referred to and just earlier today received by the Senate Rules Committee for further work. Although this in and of itself doesn't change the bill, it's a very good sign and gives us tremendous hope that we can restore the bill's original vision before the senate brings it to a vote.

A work session– but not a public hearing– has been scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) at 1:00pm. Your attendance there is not needed, BUT your letters are– and ASAP!

Why? Because there's a chance that this bill could move TOMORROW!!

Our goal should be to get as many letters to the five members of the Rules Committee as soon as possible, so that they can feel the tremendous support behind Senate Bill 30's original vision and have a chance to hear what you have to say BEFORE going into the work session.

Please send e-mails (not enough time for mailed letters) to the following five Senators on the Rules Committee:

Senator Kate Brown (Chair) (D-Portland)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1700
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-323, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: sen.katebrown@state.or.us

Senator Ted Ferrioli (Vice-Chair) (R-John Day)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1950
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-223, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: sen.tedferrioli@state.or.us

Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1716
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-314, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us

Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1725
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-310, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us

Senator David Nelson (R-Pendleton)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1729
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-206, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: mailto:sen.davidnelson@state.or.us

What should you say to them? Tell them, as you've told other legislators already, that you support the original vision behind Senate Bill 30 and a total prohibition on resorts in or within three miles of the Metolius River watershed. Tell them what the Metolius means to you, and why you feel so strongly about this issue. Send pictures with your letters if at all possible, and keep your input constructive.

We also suggest that you copy your letters to your own senator– because if SB 30 moves fast in Rules, a floor vote may not be far behind.

Doing this should be your first course of action.

Your second course of action should be to contact your representative with the same message that you've sent to your senators. Please also copy your letters to House leadership– House Speaker Rep. Jeff Merkley (rep.jeffmerkley@house.or.us), House Majority Leader Rep. Dave Hunt (rep.davehunt@state.or.us), and also Rep. Arnie Roblan (rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us), Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which is likely to receive SB 30 when it's sent to the House.

And of course send blind copies of your letters to us at info at centraloregonlandwatch.org so that we can post them on our website at noresorts.blogspot.com. We have 158 letters posted so far– and we'd LOVE to have 200 letters before this goes to the floor.

Also– very important– send this to as many family-members, friends, and acquaintances as possible. Send this to those who share your concern for the future of the Metolius. Help us get this message out ASAP!

As always, thank you for all the support you've shown thus far– it has been critical to getting things headed back in the right direction. Please keep sending letters and keep the momentum headed our way.

If you have any questions, you can reach me directly at erik at centraloregonlandwatch.org.

We can win this one!

Yours,
Erik