For Immediate Release: June 1, 2005
Contact: Kate Kimball (541) 745-5539

Oregon Senate Action Supports Fairness and Land Use Planning

The Oregon Senate today stopped action on legislation that would have undermined thirty years of land use planning by allowing farms, ranches and open space to be plowed under for sprawling rural subdivisions and faceless strip malls. As written, Senate Bill 1037 would expand Measure 37 beyond what voters approved, and eliminate many long-standing protections for vineyard, farm and ranch lands. The Senate voted 22-7 to send the bill to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

"Today's Senate action is a victory for fairness, practical planning and strong rural economies," said Bob Stacey, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, "Measure 37 was about fairness and compensating landowners, but this legislation would have opened up Oregon's working farms and scenic landscapes to irresponsible development. The result would have been an uglier, less productive Oregon with more unfair waivers and no compensation to landowners."

The legislation allowed subdivision development on farm and ranchlands and in wine growing regions where the soil quality is rated lower than in other areas of the state. "The classification of soils is only one part of the story," said Peter Kenagy of Kenagy Family Farms in Albany. "Our family farm produces high quality vegetables and seed crops and maintains the farming character of this community, due in part to Oregon's effective land use rules that take into account more than soils. I am grateful the Senate rejected this effort to jettison our time-tested policies. Today's action will help keep at bay real estate speculation and rural subdivisions that force family farms like mine onto the auction block."

"I look forward to working with the members of the legislature to craft positive, fair legislation that protects Oregon's productivity and heritage," Stacey concluded.

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