A Lesson in the Common Ground Beneath Their Feet.

Yesterday, a coalition of groups that generally find themselves at odds came together to propose an alternative map for urban and rural reserves in Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties.

The coalition includes Washington County Farm Bureau, Tualatin Riverkeepers, Friends of French Prairie, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Save Helvetia ,Audubon Society of Portland, Coalition for a Livable Future, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Portland Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition, Urban Greenspaces Institute, Oregon Council of Trout Unlimited, Friends of Family Farmers, Oregon Tilth and Slow Food. These generally divergent groups forged this coalition to, in their view, achieve, " a balance of protection for agriculture and natural resources while providing for common sense future growth in the region.”

One of the coalition members said they believe this is the first time this type of coalition has come together since Senate Bill 100, almost 40 years ago.

There are certain values that have come to embody Oregon: love of the land, conserving important places and saving them for future generations and an emphasis on protecting our heritage. These folks appear to have come together in that spirit.

Currently, Metro is considering this map for the reserves, and is holding a public comment period, including public meetings, for this proposal.

This map identifies about 28,500 acres in urban reserves for the three county area.

The coalition map is here. It identifies about 15,000 acres of urban reserves with an additional 6,000 acres for possible future development.

Below is the coalition's press conference from yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIh-RJgUti4

http://www.blueoregon.com/2010/01/a-lesson-in-the-common-ground-beneath-their-feet.html