Oregon Public Broadcasting

Central Oregon conservationists and neighborhood activists spoke out Tuesday against the construction of a new destination resort.

If approved by the government, the 2000 acres of ranchland west of Redmond would be converted into about a thousand vacation homes.

But Thornburgh,  as the resort is being called, has been caught up in the tide of a local wave of opposition to destination resorts. Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

The destination resort isn't unique to Oregon. Vacationers flock to Vail, Hawaii, heck, even Disneyworld, for second homes and weekend getaways.

But in the 1980s, when Oregon's economy was in freefall, the state actually wrote destination resorts into the law.

Lawmakers wanted to capitalize on the thousands of people who were buying homes in places off the beaten path. And they thought a mix of homes, hotel rooms, and golf courses would attract tourists and tax revenue.

Scott Terrell is a local resident who's against the development of a new central Oregon resort.

Scott Terrell: “We're described as the Palm Springs of the Northwest. I'm not sure if that's the designation we want.”

Originally, the idea was to ring in a new economy by loosening the land use laws outside the big cities.

The Eagle Crest resort, west of Redmond, is home to a kitschy-looking clock tower, a wine and espresso bar, three golf courses, and a spa.

So the destination resort plan was successful. At least in one sense.

The roaring fountains and tricking brooks of the resort do  help bring tourists into the region.

The golf course homes do send property taxes to county coffers.

And the guest rooms do contribute to the local hotel room tax base.

But local residents fear that for all they give - destination resorts may take too much away.

Merry Ann Moore lives in Sisters and is a local Sierra Club member.

Merry Ann Moore: “What's more important? Some more golf course, some revenue that may not even be enough to cover the new infrastructure and the cost to natural resources from destination resorts, and some housing for a lucky few people. Or is it maintaining our incredible resources that we have in our rivers.”

Moore was speaking at a public hearing for the new destination resort, right down the road from Eagle Crest.

Thornburgh is one of five new destination resorts currently being debated in Central Oregon. Six others have already been approved and are under construction. 

Critics say that's just too many.

Voters in Crook County approved an advisory statement in May  urging no more destination resorts there.

Opponents say the resorts drain local resources, especially water.

In fact, critics actually paid for their own water study of the Thornburgh resort. They found a new resort would damage stream flow and reduce the number of fish.

Developers say the study was flawed - and that Thornburgh has simply become a focal point for those opposed to more growth.

Peter Livingston is an attorney for the Thornburgh Resort.

Peter Livingston: “Opponents of development frequently have consultants they employ to support their arguments. It doesn't surprise me.”

Last year, two state courts ruled the initial Thornburgh blueprint wasn't specific  enough. The developers have since filled out the presentation with further details.

But no matter what happens with Thornburgh, destination resorts will be rethought.

Deschutes County has said it may reconsider where it allows destination resorts be built - and the state legislature has indicated it may rewrite the rules next year.