Land, Homes and the Changing Economy
Hood River Valley Residents Form Competing Groups Over Measure 37
By Dan Richardson, 12-27-06
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How many farmers would get out of the business if a better offer came along?
A bushel-full of them.
Counting the latest Measure 37 claims, greater than a fifth of Hood River Valley’s farmland could be developed into housing projects and golf courses, according to a brief from Oregon Public Broadcasting.
That’s among the latest and most pointed land-use stories making the rounds. As I’ve reported previously, the Hood River Valley farmers are subject to increasing pressures and decreasing profits, which make potentially lucrative Measure 37 claims, for many, keenly desired.
To its credit, the Hood River News has awakened to this unfolding drama in its backyard and has been reporting an ongoing series on Measure 37 in recent weeks. The latest installment is a defense by valley orchardists who are filing claims — and want to tell the “other side” of Measure 37.
Says farmer Camille Hukari, “The concept that we are trying to ‘pave over paradise’ is sort of a Chicken Little ‘the sky is falling’ argument that is an emotional scare tactic to create fear. We think the facts will set the record straight.”
The sky doesn’t fall until two-fifths of the farms are sold to wealthy Portlanders and Californians.
The valley now hosts two competing resident groups: Measure 37 claimants have formed the Hood River Agriculture, Forestry and Landowners Association to lobby in Salem and counteract the conservationist efforts of the Hood River Valley Residents Committee. Committee members have filed several lawsuits challenging how the state sets compensation and waives regulations under Measure 37.
Reporting on the changing economy continues with forestry companies getting out of the business of cutting trees. The Oregonian published a couple of recent articles about how timber companies are making claims under Measure 37, and elsewhere are opening up large land lots — like a 425,000-acre parcel in Maine — to develop as trees run out or regulations limit their cutting.
The trend is clear: The resource economy is dire straights, being too much work or too little profit, especially when condos and resort homes promise so much payoff. Why plant and tend and harvest for little, when you can build for much?
Yet, isn’t there a point at which the appetite for second homes in the woods will be satisfied? Really, how many people can afford million-dollar vacation houses?
And how much of the land are we willing to pave over to find out?
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Comments
The Mt. Hood accident is a story about champions. Men that did just as you said, got up, and got going. Set their goals and put themselves in action. There is something about a mountain and a climber and it is difficult to put into words. Yet, as I watched, I also was directed to the cascadeclimbers.com thread by Carolyn James. I went to this site because I thought that climbers would be able to at least shed some light on the search, the accident in a way that made more sense then the news anchors who just don't understand. What I read there, was disappointing. Many rude and ugly ego filled comments directed to those folks that must have signed on to ask questions for whatever reason. While this site is not a blog, and is intended for much different purposes, I should think that that special "something" that comprises the beauty and inner depth of seasoned climbers would have shown through in this tragedy on a climbers thread. Remember many folks just got to the site innocently as directed by Ms. James. This was their time to show a bright light to the inexperienced community looking on. They should be ashamed of themselves for thinking so highly of themselves that they blasted the novices simply showing human concern for whatever reason. Isn't it true that every inquisitive heart is looking for something outside of themselves to anchor to.
I did not post on this site but was horribly, disappointed in the rude reviews found there. There is always an ego somewhere in accomplishment, true, but ego get's edged away with maturity, adversity and experience and "mirrors", the true champions. It is their reflection into the lives of others, this "lead" that rare human quality that makes us remember them and for which touches lives. Climbers many, Champions few.
Those who worked so hard to rescue the 3 climbers, we, the watching public, whether we are on our couches because we are lazy or because we can't walk, appreciate you, look up to you and thank you for setting an example in your tireless efforts to save your Brothers.
For the 3 climbers and their families, you have shown us about real faith and hope and love. Your reflection has touched us, out here deeply. Many of us. God sets the course and the timing of our lives and I for one am so very grateful that all of you have shown us faith, not in words, but in action.
Thank you Dan for your article.
Demi
Estes Park, Colorado
Seems like the most tribal, the rudest among us, are also the most vocal. As you point out, there is hope, though, that maturity and experience will temper the rudeness. And there are always a few people who rise above and beyond the ego, the tribalism, the I'm-in-you're-out of it all.
Meanwhile, the rest of us, neither loudmouths nor heros, wrestle with the competing impulses those people embody, for good or ill, don't we? Here's hoping that the thoughtful, decent impulses win out in me this day.
Walk a few steps each day, Demi, and climb the mountain God has set before you.
Dan
Thank you so much for writing back. I want you to know that your words; "to climb the mountain that God has set before me", will stay with me for a very long time and I will, step by step, work hard to climb my new mountain. I am more grateful than you will ever know.
Thank you,
Demi