Who does the Watchdog watch?
Upper Deschutes River: Getty Images
We serve as a watchdog organization because we have to. While Oregon has environmental and land use laws in place, a law is only as strong as the will to enforce it.
Though many state and federal agencies and local governments have been charged with stewarding the environments we inhabit, competing interests often lead to decisions that skirt those required protections.
Skyline Forest: James Parsons
As a watchdog for Central Oregon, we continually monitor proposed land use development, timber sales, and water use across Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. When we see something that clearly violates federal or state environmental or land use law, we sound the alarm. We advocate for public input when possible and instigate lawsuits when absolutely necessary.
Last year, the LandWatch legal team reviewed 1,189 land use applications in rural areas across Central Oregon. So far this year, we have reviewed over 2000 applications. As we have seen another sharp increase in proposed development applications this year, we continue to look for consistency with laws created to keep our forests and farmlands intact and conserve wildlife habitat.
Earlier this month, we announced a win for farmland at the Land Use Board of Appeals. On our watch, Central Oregon’s open spaces will remain protected from unnecessary sprawling development. For years, we have kept a watchful eye out for any proposed development in Skyline Forest, knowing this beloved landscape between Bend and Sisters will remain intact if Oregon’s land use laws are upheld. On our public lands, we continue to track timber sales and evaluate the implications on ecosystem health, challenging unlawful cuts when necessary.
With the right laws in place, we have the tools we need to ensure a sustainable future for all of Central Oregon.
Planning for the future
With increased pressure to develop our farms and forests, we continue to review proposed development applications. Our legal team challenged those proposed developments that would have fragmented intact rural lands. On our watch, we will keep proposed development accountable to environmental and land use laws.
We know more challenges lie just over the horizon. With your support today, LandWatch will continue to safeguard what we all love most about living and visiting here.