Oregon Land Use Update
October 10, 2006

In this issue:

1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON

• Envision Oregon event in La Grande this Thursday: Free, but please register
• Envisioning the Oregon of the Future: Presentation by John Fregonese in Bend, October 17
• Medford Town Hall Forum on October 26

OREGON NEWS

• 1000 Friends responds to survey by Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning
• Earth Share of Oregon fall update
• Protecting farmland in Wallowa County
• Balancing growth and community in Salem
• Looking Ahead in Baker City

NATIONAL NEWS

• Gov. Gregoire stands up against I-933
• Turning 300 million: what does this mean for our future?
• Portland's vision compared to growing Gilbert, Arizona
• Brookings Institution-GrowSmart Maine report released

If you would like to receive Land Use Update via email, please subscribe at http://www.friends.org/update. You can unsubscribe at http://www.friends.org/unsubscribe.

Envision Oregon event in La Grande this Thursday: Free, but please register

Join us Thursday evening for a town hall forum where Oregonians lead the discussion about Oregon's future. This is a hands-on event where we provide the dinner and you provide the ideas. It's free, but we need you to register so we can be sure to have enough food for all. Find out more about the event, its co-sponsors and here. See and hear past participants' ideas.

Envisioning the Oregon of the Future: Presentation by John Fregonese in Bend, October 17

Join us Tuesday evening October 17 at the Central Oregon Environmental Center to hear planning expert John Fregonese share his insights into how we can protect what we love about Oregon as we move into the future. Attendance is limited, so please RSVP by October 14 (this Friday) to Carol Macbeth at (541) 382-7557.

Medford Town Hall Forum October 26

It's another Envision Oregon event, this time in Medford. Come share what you value about Oregon and your vision for Oregon's future with other Oregonians. This is not a night of speeches, but a lot of sharing around tables. We provide the food to keep you going. It's free, but please register in advance. Learn more and register. Curious about what past forums have been like? Look at what happened in Portland on a summer evening.

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OREGON NEWS

1000 Friends responds to survey by Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning

The Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning invited select organizations to provide answers to six key question areas it identified for additional analysis through work groups. Read our responses and learn more.

Earth Share of Oregon fall update

Ever wonder how your favorite organization gets donations? One way is Earth Share of Oregon, whose workplace campaign is well underway. You can give to 1000 Friends of Oregon or any of the 67 other member groups if your employer is a partner or is willing to become one. It's a great way to be part of a giving community and build a better Oregon. Find out more about workplace campaigns or give directly online.

Protecting Farmland in Wallowa County

We lose farmland often one dwelling at a time. In fact, in Central and Eastern Oregon we lose more farm and ranch lands to rural residential growth than to rezoning or urban expansions. In Wallowa County, the planning commission understood that their decision on whether to create new parcels not-for-farming would have implications for other farms in the area. Read a discussion of their decision and how they reached it.

Balancing growth and community in Salem

West and South Salem are growing rapidly and neighbors wonder what price they might pay for such rapid growth. A series looks at issues raised by growth, the services growth demands and impact on schools. Learn more.

Looking Ahead in Baker City

Baker City is looking ahead and planning for the kind of community they want to be. One option under consideration is asking newcomers to share the costs fairly, maintain services and protect their community. Read the story.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Gov. Gregoire stands up against I-933

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire and three previous Washington governors came out publicly against I-933, a Washington ballot measure that is kin to Oregon's Measure 37. The governors say I-933, if passed, would spawn lawsuits and higher costs. Read more.

Turning 300 million: what does this mean for our future?

Another milestone is coming up: the United States is about to be home to 300 million people. There were 200 million in 1967 and forecasters predict a population of 400 million by 2043. We are booming, but where and how will we live? Two articles consider the questions and some answers here and here.

Portland's vision compared to Gilbert, Arizona

Portland has long been touted as a city that focused on how it wanted to grow. Gilbert, Arizona is a city that is growing perhaps even faster than it wanted to. How do the two stack up? Learn more.

Brookings Institution-GrowSmart Maine report released

A new report issued by the Brookings Institution and GrowSmart Maine l the challenges facing Maine in the future and proposes an action plan to promote sustainable prosperity and quality places. Read the report and press reaction to it.

Read recent issues of Oregon Land Use Update

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Credits/Subscription Info

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Land Use Update is edited by Kate Kimball and brought to you by 1000 Friends of Oregon, a statewide organization dedicated to protecting Oregon's quality of life.

To help support this work, including the distribution of Land Use Update, please consider making a tax-deductible donation online at http://www.friends.org/support

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