Issues

Destination Resorts

Destination Resorts in Oregon: An Ongoing Debate

There is an ongoing debate about the future of destination resorts in Oregon. Destination resorts were intended to bring valuable tourism dollars to rural communities without creating new subdivisions outside of cities and towns. However, recent experiences show that many resorts operate instead as developments for full-time residents or as second houses for some. The nationwide economic collapse has had a negative impact on the housing market, the backbone of many newer resorts. In addition, resorts have created economic and other problems for nearby rural communities.

In 2009, the legislature devoted much attention to statewide resort reform (in addition to protecting the Metolius Basin from resort development). Slightly different versions of HB 2227 passed both the House and Senate, but a conference committee was unable to reach agreement in the last few days of the session.

Some of HB 2227 major provisions included:

• Removed the requirement for a large footprint and the $7 million ($10 million in today’s dollars) requirement for investment in recreational amenities.
• Deleted any reference to ratios or minimum number of units, while affirming that resorts are primarily for overnight use.
• Retained existing siting standards and added several clarifications:
• Did not allow resorts to be sited within larger irrigation districts (House version) or authorized irrigation districts to opt out of being included in a resort map (Senate version).
• Resorts could not be sited in the areas most at risk of wildfires unless the county prepares a community wildlife protection plan.
• Removed the 1984 reference for especially sensitive big game habitat so the current habitat is protected.
• Required resort developers to assure adequate workforce housing and emergency services, including fire.
• Required resorts to mitigate traffic impacts.

Click here for a 1000 Friends of Oregon report, The Future of Destination Resorts in Oregon.(pdf)

Governor Signs Metolius Protection Act

Governor's Office Press Release
July 15, 2009

Governor Kulongoski signs bill to protect the Metolius River basin
House Bill 3298 designates the Metolius River as an Area of Critical State Concern

 (Camp Sherman)  Today at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery on the Metolius River, Governor Ted Kulongoski signed House Bill 3298, designating the Metolius River area as an Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC). This designation and the corresponding management plan protect the basin from large-scale development that is inconsistent with the unique environmental, cultural and scenic values and resources of the basin.

“This river represents an environmental legacy for Oregon. It is a river I have fished since with my children – and now my grandchildren,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “I know I am not the only Oregonian who believes this is a special place… a place that represents the diversity of our natural beauty and a place that we have a responsibility to preserve.” 

With the designation of the Metolius River Basin as an Area of Critical State Concern, House Bill 3298 also implements the Land Conservation and Development Commission’s management plan for the Basin approved in March 2009.

The management plan protects the natural resources of the Basin including wildlife and plant species such as deer, elk and unique stands of Ponderosa pine, and river, tributary and underground sources of water. The plan protects these resources by prohibiting the development of new large-scale developments, including destination resorts. This protection will not adversely affect most land uses in the Basin.

“The Metolius Area of Critical State Concern will be remembered as one of those instances when a broad array of people from all walks of life came together to ask their legislators to make a tough decision, and the legislature responded,” said Governor Kulongoski. “As a result of this bill, the people of Oregon and their children always will be able to visit this beautiful place and see the remarkable wonders that renew the spirit of us all.”

House Bill 3298 represents the first time that the designation of an Area of Critical State Concern has been legislatively adopted, although the statutory authority has existed since the creation of the state land use program in 1974. Other areas considered for designation, such as the Columbia River Gorge, have been protected instead through the use of special statewide land use planning goals, by the federal government, or through other specialized state and federal designations.