Destination Resort Actions

Statewide Summary

With the 2009 Oregon legislature rendering a split decision on resort issues, the focus for destination resort reform returns from Salem to Central Oregon. Local environmentalists cheered the passage of the Metolius protection bill, creating an Area of Critical State Concern in the river basin, a proposal that earned Juniper Group Sierra Club-endorsed Rep. Judy Stiegler's yes vote. But a broader land use bill, HB 2227, failed to gain passage. That bill would have empowered the state's Department of Land Conservation and Development to examine and revise rules related to water concerns, sprawl, wildlife habitat fracturing and scofflaw (on overnight lodging) problems associated with new resorts.

Work remains to open our elected officials ears to the infrastructure and environmental costs of new destination resorts in Central Oregon. The time is now, with county planners, the planning commission and county commissioners currently engaged in revising the destination resort map (see below). Good thing, too: the existing 1992 map is badly flawed, and includes tens of thousands of acres that don't comply with state or local requirements for resort eligibility.

Deschutes County

Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan Revision and Resort Remapping

The Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan is the blueprint for future county development. It determines how and where destination resorts can be built, how our groundwater and river resources are used, what regions must be preserved for wildlife, etc. The County Commission has directed the county planning department to undertake the first revision to this core planning document in decades. It may be just as long before the next revision is done. So it is critically important that the Comp Plan reflect modern realities and changing mores in our county.

The Deschutes County planning department recognizes the Comprehensive Plan revision as an opportunity to create a national model for sustainable practices and smart growth. Juniper Group urges its members to help out with expertise and engagement to support these critically needed changes. The commitment can be small--such as writing a letter--to medium--attending hearings, doing outreach to groups you belong to-- to full--contributing professional expertise. We welcome members with background in the following areas, and others who can help out however they can: environmental attorney, GIS mapping specialist, activists, wildlife biologist, birders, reintroduced native fish expert, frog biologist, sage grouse expert, environmental regulatory expert, hydrologist, soils specialist, organic growers/ farmers, conservation easement expert/land use attorney, land use orgs, environmental group reps, land trusts, land use attorney, ecologist, pollution experts.

Current Situation (October/November 2009)

The proposed, revised Comprehensive Plan has been posted by county planning at Deschutes County Draft Comprehensive Plan Update. It is an important document that appears to be a sincere effort on the part of county planning staff to respond to the many concerns residents have been raising about resorts and land use. It includes important proposed reforms on how and where resorts can be sited, and how wildlife, water and habitat should be protected.

There is significant opposition to such reforms on the County Planning Commission. The Board of County Commissioners could swing either way on whether to support reform or not, depending on the level of public support. We must get in the driver's seat and make sure the momentum for real changes to the 30-year-old County Comprehensive Plan continues. If the public wants change, we must be vocal.

Here is a link to the schedule of meetings for the Comp Plan review: Comprehensive Plan Update Upcoming Events. Also see our Community Events and Calendar pages. Please attend those of interest, and make your views known. Read the portions of the revised plan that interest you, forward the web site to colleagues and groups that care about better protection of Central Oregon natural resources, submit comments, and make sure both the County Board of Commissioners and the Planning Commission get copies.

November 11th Status: See The Source Weekly article Take This Plan and Shred It: Detailed growth plan rankles conservative county commission.

Summary of Information Sources

Read where the county process is now by following the links below to the Deschutes County website.

• Read the current Deschutes County Draft Comprehensive Plan Update.
• Look at Where the Deschutes County process is now.
• Go to the Destination Resort Remapping Work Program page, then at the bottom, open Attachment C for a summary of community input obtained through the county long range planning community outreach meetings.
• Then download a pdf copy of the Deschutes County PowerPoint presentation on the Destination Resort Remapping Process from July 23, 2009.
• And lastly, but most important, attend as many Comprehensive Plan Update Upcoming Events as you can. Hearing your voice is critical to the outcome of this effort.

Then get involved in public hearings coming this fall! We'll keep you posted on the Recommended Community Events page.

To Volunteer

To volunteer, contact: Merry Ann Moore, merryann@bendcable.com, 541.549.2468

Our Position

The Juniper Group continues to work with the Deschutes County Commissioners and the Long Range Planner to update the Destination Resort map. On May 10, 2009, we submitted a recommendation Letter to the Deschutes County Planning Department with the following key principles:

1. The County should abide by the results of extensive public hearings throughout Deschutes County and severely curtail resort development.
2. Visitor amenities are desirable, but they should be sited away from the “destinations” that make people want to come to Central Oregon, so these areas can be preserved for all to enjoy.
3. Any new county map should allow resorts only in areas where state and local statutes can be met.
4. We support the county’s proposal to remove existing housing subdivisions, and lands platted for subdivisions, from the destination resort map.
5. We support the county’s proposal to prohibit the siting of resorts in areas that are critical range or migration paths for big game.
6. Resorts may not be sited in areas that will result in detriment to threatened or endangered species.
7. We support the county’s recommendation that parcels of land under 160 acres be removed from the resort map.
8. We support the proposed state policy (HB 2227, now being considered in the Oregon legislature) of prohibiting destination resorts within irrigation districts.
9. The Whychus Creek watershed should be excluded from the resort map.
10. Land within three miles of a “high-value crop” area must be unmapped. The county should seek new clarification from the state on what constitutes a high-value crop.

Sierra Club Policy Statement on Deschutes County Resort Remapping

It is our position that if these principles are abided by, there are no areas left in Deschutes County that are appropriate for resorts. Our county in fact has more resorts than its resources can sustainably support. Resorts that have been approved and built under Goal 8 guidelines have proved to be damaging to natural resources, have not resulted in no net loss of wildlife or habitat, and will strain water sources (groundwater, rivers, streams) beyond their carrying capacity. They are resulting in sprawl development, with consequently higher carbon emissions from commuting employees, homeowners and visitors. They furthermore overstretch public facilities, and burden taxpayers with an unfair and hefty share of transportation improvements, emergency services and other infrastructure costs.

Sierra Club’s position is therefore that the county destination resort map should be repealed, following the example set by Crook County citizens. No further resorts should be allowed. Please include this as a third unmapping concept as you develop the ground rules for amending county codes.

Let Us Know You Want to Help

See the full Aspen Lakes Article for details of why these destination resort developments are such a bad idea. If you want to help fighting similar assaults on the environment, email Merry Ann Moore.