Notes from the Field: An Ode to Public Lands
Random Rumination on Oregon’s Public Lands and Land Use
With the arrival of the solstice and the warmer days of summer, our thoughts and plans turn to vacation, travel, and spending time outside. On the heels of the pandemic, this shift as the season turns is an absolute imperative for many of us this year.
After more than a year of restrictions, it is likely that the beginning of summer will witness a tidal wave of hiking, biking, boating, birding, and camping on Central Oregon’s beautiful lands and waters. These opportunities are provided primarily by the proximity of public land and the protection of open space afforded by our statewide land use system.
Just over half of Oregon is public land. In contrast, in some other states, the total is less than 1%. In Central Oregon, Crook and Jefferson Counties are just over 50% public land, while Deschutes County is 78% public land.
Walking across these lands and reflecting on their proprietorship, the realization is that while they are managed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or other agencies, they are actually owned by all of us collectively!
Deeper still is the realization that most of this land was violently appropriated from or ceded through treaty by indigenous tribes, whose relationship to the land, in my limited and learning understanding, is more one of belonging to the land rather than owning it. In either paradigm, the privileges of common custody are accompanied by the shared responsibilities of stewardship.
Beyond designation as public lands, open space in Oregon enjoys a unique level of protection in our venerable statewide land use system. Its 19 Land Use Planning Goals enshrine citizen involvement in land use planning while safeguarding agricultural and forest lands, open spaces, and air and water quality.
It mandates urban growth boundaries around our communities and methodical, analytical, public processes for accommodating growth, so we all have a say in how our cities and towns grow.
Most striking to those of us coming to Oregon from elsewhere is the phenomenon of driving to the edge of the city and coming into the country, the absence of sprawl, and the ability to enjoy either urban or rural amenities.
Broken Top over Soda Creek. Photo: US Forest Service
For 50 years, Oregon’s statewide land use system, envied and emulated nationally and internationally, has provided for planned and relatively sustainable patterns of development balanced by prudent restraint.
Still, it suffers from constant undermining as exemptions and exceptions abound, along with false choices in response to various economic crises.
Finally, a brief contemplation on the ultimate motive for protecting lands, waters, open space, and wildlife. A list of utilitarian justifications, inherent, for example, even in terms like “natural resources” or “big game,” will often culminate in something like “… and so that future generations can enjoy it/them.” Though moving more toward an aesthetic than a utilitarian sentiment, it is still flatly anthropocentric.
Do natural landscapes (or wildlife or water, etc.) not have intrinsic value whether or not we, or future generations of us, can use or even experience them? Regardless of their perceived utility, don’t we bear the responsibility of stewardship?
-Nathan Hovekamp
Photo: Dan Meyers
Support for public lands
When we understand our relationship with Central Oregon’s public lands and open space as one of stewardship and reciprocity, we see that, just as the land cares for us, we must care for the land.
You can give to the landscapes you love by supporting our work to defend our statewide land use system and protect our wildlands, forests and farms, rivers and streams. Right now, we have an ongoing Challenge Match where every gift will be doubled by a generous donor. We thank you.