In the winner's circle: The Metolius
On a glorious looking morning at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery on the Metolius River, Governor Kulongoski signed the Metolius protections into law.
From the press release:
“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.
I'm told roughly 130 people showed up for the signing.
I wish I could have been there to see it but I couldn't take the day off of work. Luckily, I have a buddy who went and snapped some photos:
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July 15, 2009 |
Carla Axtman | Comments (20 so far)
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Comments
Posted by: Carla Axtman | Jul 15, 2009 4:54:40 PM
Right...cuz building exclusive and expensive multi-unit resorts would have kept the river pristine. Whereas now ANYONE can visit the region.
Posted by: JHL | Jul 15, 2009 5:14:32 PM
Garage Wine... I don't think you're making a conherent point.
Are you saying that the proposed Destination Resorts would have been MORE ACCESSIBLE to the general public than the existing numerous campsites along the Metolius where families can come and enjoy the area for a few bucks?
Congrats to everyone that made this happen! Thanks!
Posted by: AdmiralNaismith | Jul 15, 2009 9:36:58 PM
Congratulations, Carla. You helped to make this happen. I'm glad. :-)
Posted by: ERH | Jul 15, 2009 9:44:04 PM
Garage Wine,
Some places are too special to take a big, fat dump on. Get over it.
Posted by: Why to go | Jul 15, 2009 9:55:47 PM
Why to go clem, johnson and burdick. This is been needed along time ago. I am glad Clem got rid of the comb over.
Posted by: Stop Wineing | Jul 15, 2009 9:56:23 PM
Not only was GW boorish, but he's got his geography wrong. That bridge, and the river, is quite a ways from where the two developments would have gone.
Posted by: Andrew Plambeck | Jul 15, 2009 11:40:28 PM
Woohoo! Definitely taking advantage of the Metolius this summer, and for summers to come!
Posted by: jamie | Jul 16, 2009 3:31:40 AM
Hi Carla,
You seem to have missed this on an earlier thread:
How do you choose which scientists to follow - which are correct? How do you know that Hansen is correct and Spenser wrong? How do you, with NO literacy in basic science, make that decision?
BTW this is the problem with the leaders of many companies and governments - they have no knowledge in the field in which they are making decisions and choose to take the easy way out and pick an expert (instead of actually learning something). They end up listening to the best bull shit artist instead of the best expert.
This got millions killed when Stalin listened to Lysenko.
It has bankrupted companies.
We are just trying to keep it from bankrupting Oregon’s citizens and the rest of the USA.
You criticized the list I gave you. Please tell which of these people your would trust:
1. Vocal climate spokesman - no science degree.
2. Published climate related papers in peer reviewed journals - University department of Meteorology.
3.Published climate related papers in peer reviewed journals - Ph.D. in Physics, NASA
4. Speaks on climate - Ph.D. in meteorology, research has been entirely supported by U.S. government agencies,
5. Published climate related papers in peer reviewed journals - Ph.D. in Atmospheric sciences
6. Popular speaker on climate - Ph.D. in ecological climatology.
Anyone else want to tell us how you pick the person to do your climate thinking for you?
Posted by: Carla Axtman | Jul 16, 2009 8:09:12 AM
Jamie:
This thread is about the Metolius protections and the Guv signing the bill. I'm not engaging in a climate change discussion here.
Please stay on topic.
Posted by: Robert Collins | Jul 16, 2009 9:07:39 AM
They should have done the photo shoot in front of Betsy Johnson's barbed wire barrier across the review. That provides access for all, you betcha'
Posted by: Carla Axtman | Jul 16, 2009 9:35:29 AM
Riiiiight Robert Collins..cuz big golf course resorts and expensive facilities that the vast majority can't afford are exactly the way to open up this beautiful region to the citizens.... A barbed wire fence that keeps horses in is so much more of a barrier....
It's over. The Metolius won. The citizens of Oregon won. Get used to it.
Posted by: SCB | Jul 16, 2009 10:12:12 AM
And 20% of Jefferson County leaves local control....
I find it more than amusing that the Jefferson County Court has decided to use the money that the State threw at them due to the loss of development rights to bring a lawsuit over this issue.
It ain't over yet.
Posted by: Carla Axtman | Jul 16, 2009 10:18:53 AM
I find it more than amusing that the Jefferson County Court has decided to use the money that the State threw at them due to the loss of development rights to bring a lawsuit over this issue.
There was no loss of development rights. You can't lose something you never had.
Posted by: JHL | Jul 16, 2009 11:45:46 AM
"And 20% of Jefferson County leaves local control...."
Wrong. 20% of Jefferson County leaves the control of the Jefferson County Commission. Don't forget that this was a locally-initiated and locally-supported effort.
The extent to which Jefferson County bungled their process has been well documented. Whether they engaged in such lax management intentionally or simply were too inept to reasonably interpret public meeting procedures, it's a wonder that 80% of Jefferson County is STILL under the control of the Keystone Cops of local government.
But then, that's why we have a State Government with authority over local governments. Just like every other state in the Union.
Posted by: Madeline M | Jul 16, 2009 1:00:45 PM
This is a wonderful moment, and the water looks absolutely gorgeous in these photos. I'm so glad that this beautiful area is now protected and remains accessible to everyone. Hopefully many of the other beautiful areas in Oregon in danger of development will be considered for protection now as well.
Posted by: John F. Bradach, Sr. | Jul 16, 2009 6:01:27 PM
[Off-topic comment removed. Use Google to find what you're looking for. -editor.]
Posted by: Outdoorsman | Jul 17, 2009 8:44:23 PM
Thank you Betsy Johnson & Brian Clem. Two words of advice for both of you....Jenny Craig.
Posted by: Kathy P-W | Jul 17, 2009 11:55:05 PM
Thank you, Ms. Axtman. Your work played a huge role in saving this area from future development. Also thanks to Sens. Johnson and Burdick, and the Friends of the Metolius!
As for the first comment, of course you can get closer to the river! There are campgrounds, or you can rent cabins, you can hike along the river, feed the fish.. it is not restricted from all access!
Re- Sen. Johnson's property: it belongs to her family, not just to her. They have already donated a portion of it so everyone can see the headwaters. Her family has a house, an ancient garage, a shed, and an ancient horse barn on their property, hardly "big development." Her family has historically protected the area, and I am happy she has continued this fine family tradition!
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Posted by: Garage Wine | Jul 15, 2009 4:40:41 PM
Picture 2 shows Betsey Johnson and Ginny Burdick relieved that the masses won't sully "their" river.
Picture 3 shows how close the public are allowed to get to the water now that the bill has passed. Ginny is afraid the hoi polloi will leave an oil slick with their greasy bodies and Betsey doesn't want anyone to see her skinny dipping.