House passes Metolius Basin protection bill -- great news!

This is a great day for Oregon.

The state House of Representatives just changed course and voted 31-28 to approve HB 3298, which prevents destination resorts from being built in the Metolius River Basin.

Thanks to the courageous legislators who had the guts to vote "yes" rather than "no" after hearing from so many concerned constituents -- like me.

Here's the full Oregonian story:

Reversal: House passes Metolius protections bill
by Michelle Cole, The Oregonian
Monday June 22, 2009, 10:21 AM

SALEM -- In a stunning reversal from last week, the Oregon House on Monday passed a bill declaring the Metolius River basin a Critical Area of Statewide Concern.

The 31-28 vote sends House Bill 3298 on to Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who has fought to get it passed.

In brief and a fairly unemotional 10-minute debate, Rep. Larry Galizio, D-Tigard, said he had changed his mind and supported the bill. Galizio said he was convinced following a "convincing" phone call from the governor and "an outpouring" of letters and other contacts from the public.

Kulongoski had moved to create the new protections after developers launched plans for two new destination resorts near the river.

 --Michelle Cole; michellecole@news.oregonian.com

Comments

[Carla Axtman]

Yay! :)

[Bpaul]

Thank god. You can only make a mistake like that once, and a precious heritage site is gone forever.