Oregon Public Broadcasting

An attempt to block a pair of resorts in central Oregon came up one vote short Tuesday.  

Lawmakers in the Oregon House voted down a plan to set aside part of the Metolius Basin as off-limits to development. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

It’s a struggle that’s played out more than once in the Pacific Northwest.  

Local communities want to tap into the economic benefits of catering to people in search of natural beauty.  But critics of destination resorts say those developments harm the very beauty that people want to enjoy.  

The struggle over a pair of proposed resorts near the Headwaters of the Metolius River in central Oregon has been simmering in the Oregon Legislature for several years.  

Democratic Representative Brian Clem implored his colleagues to ban resorts in that area.

Rep. Brian Clem:  “I do not believe that this location is appropriate.  The Headwaters is a treasure created by God, and unlike anything I have ever seen.”

Clem’s measure failed when all Republicans and five Democrats voted against it, including House Speaker Dave Hunt.

Opponents said the resorts would create badly needed jobs.  The issue isn’t dead.  Lawmakers may still try to work out a compromise.

Oregon House Bill 3298-B