400 acres to Thornburgh Resort?
A view of Cline Buttes from Redmond: Central Oregon LandWatch
A decision expected on August 9
In March, hundreds of you attended a public hearing over a proposed land sale from the Department of State Lands (DSL) to a private resort developer. The Department of State Lands (DSL) is a statewide agency that manages Oregon’s state-owned lands, and over 4,000 Central Oregonians spoke out in opposition to the sale.
It’s been nearly five months since the Department of State Lands (DSL) held its hearing to determine whether it would sell 400 acres of public land to the proposed Thornburgh Resort development, which has been the subject of controversy since its proposal in 2005 for its impacts on rural lands between Bend and Redmond.
Now, a decision on the proposed land sale is expected on August 9.
A biker at Cline Buttes rides a public trail that would be impacted by the sale: Katie Sox
What is this public land worth?
Despite the outpouring of public opposition, the Department of State Lands claimed it needed to consider this sale of public land for financial reasons, out of a need for funding to supplement the Common School Fund. The Department of State Lands has spent the last few months completing an appraisal to determine the land value. The results are finally in.
You can read the complete appraisal here.
Our takeaway
The estimated value for the 400 acres comes in at $912,000. Currently, the Common School fund holds roughly $2.2 billion dollars that generate investment revenue. This $912,000 from the potential land sale is nominal when compared to the overall Common School Fund (which distributes less than 4% annually). With the one-time monetary benefit to the Common School Fund, it is our firm belief that this land should remain public, given the widespread concern over public access and natural resources. The appraisal states that the highest and best use of these lots is “as an unbuildable recreational resource with limited seasonal access.”
The Department of State Lands is required by the Oregon Constitution to “manage lands under its jurisdiction with the object of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of this resource under sound techniques of land management" (Article III, Section 5). When selling any state lands, DSL must also consider their scenic and recreational value to the public (ORS 273.051).
Based on the available information, we believe there is an even stronger case for keeping this land public for its recreational and natural resource values over and above sale to private developers.
Upcoming dates
Will the 400-acre tract of public land ultimately go to the developers of Thornburgh Resort? Again, we’ll need your participation to ensure the Land Board makes the right decision.
The public record remains open until July 29
The Department of State Lands has extended the public comment period numerous times since March’s hearing. Right now, the record remains open until July 29.
That means there is still time to write in.
Why was the timeline extended? The Department of State Lands noted they needed additional time to complete the appraisal of the tract’s market value. It extended the deadline to allow the public to review and comment based on the available information. You can view all materials for the proposed sales here by clicking on “Cline Buttes Tract.”
If you haven’t yet commented, we urge you to write in to let DSL know how much you value this tract as public land. If you have already submitted comments, you may still submit additional comments to be added to the record.
You may comment through the link below, or by sending an email to realproperty.dsl@dsl.oregon.gov, or by mail to the address: 951 SW Simpson Ave., Suite #104, Bend, OR 97702. Be sure to include the Cline Buttes Tract transaction number: 63509-LS.
Sign on to this community letter.
So far, over 4,000 people have signed on to oppose the sale of this public land to Central Land and Cattle, LLC for the development of Thornburgh Resort. If you share our concern that this proposed sale would compromise scenic, natural resource, cultural, educational, and recreational land values, add your name, group, or organization here.
A public hearing will be held August 9
The State Land Board is expected to make a decision on the sale during a meeting on Tuesday, August 9, at 9:30 a.m.
Are you interested in tuning in? The meeting will be streamed on Zoom and YouTube. All are welcome to join. If you are interested in attending in person, the meeting will be held at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Charleston, Oregon.
There will be an opportunity to speak and provide testimony during the meeting. Information on how to testify will be posted on August 2. We will be sure and get the zoom link and the details on how to testify out to you as soon as they are posted. If you want to be notified of the updated information, email caitlyn@colw.org to be added to the list.
The view from Cline Buttes near Redmond, Oregon: Central Oregon LandWatch
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