Protecting Central Oregon's natural environment
Working for sustainable communities
Metolius Action Alert – HB 3100 Followup Hearing on Thursday, April 9th!
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.
The following is our original action alert posted for Tuesday's hearing:
Perhaps THE PIVOTAL MOMENT for saving the Metolius will take place at the Oregon Capitol in Salem at 3pm this coming Tuesday, April 7th. We need all supporters there!
On April 7th, from 3pm-5pm, there will be a public hearing before the House Land Use Committee in Hearing Room E on House Bill 3100, The Metolius Protection Act of 2009. (900 Court Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301)
We're asking you to urge legislators to support HB 3100 and ensure that the Metolius and its surrounding landscape are protected for future generations.
The fate of this landmark legislation hinges on members of the public speaking louder than two would-be developers, their attorneys, and their lobbyists. We can overcome their efforts IF and ONLY IF we demonstrate that we care enough to show up on April 7th.
After numerous public hearings in Central Oregon, the State's Land Conservation and Development Commission voted last week to recommend to Oregon Legislators that they pass a law designating a Metolius Area of Critical State Concern. HB 3100 would accept that recommendation and ensure that the management plan is strong enough to truly protect the Metolius River, its tributaries, and the area's fish and wildlife from the threats of future development in and near the basin.
As you are probably already aware, two proposed large-scale destination resorts threaten the Metolius as we know it. One would create 450 single-family homes in the Basin (the so-called Metolian Eco-resort) and the other would locate 2500 single-family homes and two golf courses on Green Ridge, just a few miles from the Metolius Headwaters.
Without legislation to protect the area, THESE TWO PROPOSALS WILL BECOME A REALITY!
Please tell the legislators listed below that this special place is the wrong place for large-scale developments! Please tell them that the natural beauty of this sacred place cannot be improved upon, and can only be degraded by large-scale developments.
Please urge legislators to support HB 3100, and if at all possible, do so by attending the hearing in Salem on Tuesday, April 7th.
Thank you for all of your support, and please continue to send us copies of your written testimony (whether you plan to submit it via regular mail, e-mail, or to deliver it in person) for our online letterbank at metolius@centraloregonlandwatch.org. And urge friends, family members, and others who support the efforts to protect the Metolius to do the same.
With your continued support, 2009 will be the year that the Metolius receives the special protection it has always deserved!
- Jonathan Manton
Campaign Manager, Central Oregon LandWatch
jmanton2008@gmail.com
House Land Use Committee Members:
Representative Mary Nolan, Chair (Portland)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1436
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-295, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.marynolan@state.or.us
Representative Sal Esquivel, Vice Chair (Medford)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1406
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-483, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.salesquivel@state.or.us
Representative Chris Garrett, Vice Chair (Lake Oswego)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1438
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-377, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.chrisgarrett@state.or.us
Representative Brian Clem (Salem)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1421
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-284, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.brianclem@state.or.us
Representative Jean Cowan (Newport, Lincoln City, Waldport, Yachats, Depoe Bay)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1410
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-376, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.jeancowan@state.or.us
Representative Mitch Greenlick (Portland)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1433
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-492, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.mitchgreenlick@state.or.us
Representative Bruce Hanna (Roseburg)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1407
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-395, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.brucehanna@state.or.us
Representative Matt Wingard (Wilsonville)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1426
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-474, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.mattwingard@state.or.us
Please also write to:
Representative Arnie Roblan (Coos Bay)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1409
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-272, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us
Representative Dave Hunt, Speaker of the House (Clackamas County)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1200
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, 269, Salem, OR, 97301
rep.davehunt@state.or.us
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Comments
Tuesday's hearing
What happened at the hearing? How many people spoke and what % spoke in favor of the bill? The Bulletin said 100 people showed up for it. Is that a lot for a hearing or not? What was the mood of the congresspeople -- did they seem distracted or engaged and do you have any sense of how they stand on the issue? What about the landowners -- were they there, or did they send proxies?
Thanks!
Trip to Salem for Metolius Meeting
I will consider going to this meeting on the 7th of April if I can carpool with others. I'm willing and able to take up to 6 passengers from Bend in my Honda van, or I would like to ride with others to make up a full carload and contribute to the cost of gas. I suggest meeting up at a place where cars can be parked for a few hours, perhaps near the environmental center.
Friends Bus
The Friends of the Metolius have chartered a bus for the hearing. You should contact Doug Hancock at 541-549-4942 or doug@hancockhughey.com.
Here are the details:
-the bus will leave from Sisters from the old Rays parking lot at noon on April 7. The old Rays parking lot is just West of Sisters on Highway 20 (there is a NAPA Auto Parts store in the same development, and a restaurant called Coyote Creek). Please be prompt;
-the bus will make a stop at the Camp Sherman junction at about 12:15 to pick up riders from Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch;
-it will arrive in Salem at about 2:15 to 2:30. The hearing starts at 3:00 p.m.
-it will leave Salem when we're done with the hearing, likely around 6:00 p.m., but in no case will the bus depart later than 8:00 p.m.;
-it will drop one group off at the Camp Sherman junction and it will drop the remainder off at the old Rays parking lot.
They are asking all riders for a donation of $20. Donations will be collected when you board the bus.