The Horizon

Rapid growth presents us with a challenge and an opportunity: to grow well and with intention so that our communities are more vibrant, affordable, inclusive, and climate-resilient. So let’s take a look at what we can do to act locally for our climate and community.

Central Oregon LandWatch recently added our name to the long and growing list of supporters of Ballot Measure 9-173. The measure will appear on the November ballot for consideration by all Deschutes County voters, and asks whether the size of the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners should be expanded from three to five commissioners.

LandWatch feels strongly that the answer is “yes,” and here is why.

In less than a century, the impacts of irrigation, hydropower projects, and other human activities throughout the Deschutes Basin have disrupted the natural water systems and environmental conditions that sustained abundant steelhead populations for millennia.

In order to take steps toward habitat recovery, it is important to understand how we’ve fundamentally changed these waterways.

LandWatch’s new Livable Future Forum will provide a place for discussion and dialogue about the key environmental issues of our time and the solutions that we can put into place locally. On Oct 3, 2024, we will talk about the factors leading to local mule deer population decline and the critically-needed solutions available to help them.

To meet existing and future water needs, the Basin’s senior irrigation districts need to ramp up financial incentive programs to conserve more water, in concert with the piping of private laterals.

In August, the U.S. Forest Service issued its final decision regarding an important timber sale on the Ochoco National Forest — and we’re pleased to report that the Forest Service ultimately made significant improvements to the Mill Creek project, providing meaningful safeguards for forest ecosystems and the wildlife that depend upon them.

The future of Bend is happening now.

The City of Bend is beginning work that will guide our community’s growth now and for the next 20 to 50 years. LandWatch’s Cities & Towns team is and will be deeply involved with these efforts on the path ahead—and we’ll make sure our community knows the best times to make their voices heard along the way.