A draft plan to protect the Metolius River Basin in Central Oregon has just been released.
Some of the features will look familiar. It declares the Basin a State Area of Critical State Concern and wrestles away any local control over large scale development in the area. The idea was proposed by Governor Kulongoski in December.
Following two public hearings in Sisters and Madras, the department of Land Conservation and Development has drafted a plan to serve as a model for legislation.
It includes:
- Banning all large scale resort development in the Metolius Basin.
- Creates a buffer area around the basin where development will be “substantially limited”.
- Sets aside areas where Jefferson County can proceed with the development of resorts. This includes the vicinity of Round Butte, near the City of Madras and Cove Palisades State Park. Other areas may be added.
- Allows private property owners, who were planning to build resorts, the option of building small projects allowed under Measure 49. They could also swap their land inside the basin for land near Round Butte, which could be developed as resorts.
The department is holding one more public hearing on the plan tomorrow in Madras starting at 5pm. It’ll be at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in the Maccie Conroy Room.
The full commission will meet on March 11 to take action on the plan, and possibly make a recommendation to the 2009 Legislature
