Deschutes 2040
Where will Deschutes County be twenty years from now?
Last week, when we gave an update on 710 acres of agricultural land in Deschutes County, many of you shared our frustration and asked how to get more involved.
Local wildlife, like the red-tailed hawk, rely on open space across rural landscapes for habitat.
One way to engage is by shaping future land use and environmental policy for Deschutes County. Is something working well? Let’s make sure the County continues in this direction. What’s not working? What do we need from our local government?
Right now, there is an opportunity to get involved. Over the next two years, Deschutes County will be updating its Comprehensive Plan.
What is a Comprehensive Plan? It’s Deschutes County’s “map for the future and provides goals, policies, and actions intended to guide the day-to-day decisions of elected officials and staff.”
This update will affect all of Deschutes County, outside city limits, and will establish policies to guide the county through 2044.
What do we want Deschutes County to be in twenty years? Now is the time we can help shape that future.
This planning process will encompass a wide range of issues, from wildfire and drought to tourism and infrastructure. See a preliminary list of topics the county is considering.
What’s the timeline?
Deschutes County is in Phase 2 of the process. They are gathering public input that will inform the draft goals of Phase 3. Throughout each step, there will be opportunities for public input, and we’ll be sure to share those with you.
LandWatch will be closely following and participating in this process. As a watchdog for land use policies that guide the future of Deschutes County, this is an important moment to make sure those policies are sound reflections of our shared values.
How to get involved
1. Attend an upcoming open house
Mark your calendars for one of these dates to provide perspective and feedback on what you hope to see in Deschutes County.
2. Schedule a presentation with County Planners
If you have a group, club, or neighborhood association that would like to be more involved, you can schedule a presentation with County Planners, and they’ll come to you! Contact Nicole Mardell, Senior Planner, to schedule at Deschutes2040@deschutes.org.
3. Sign up for updates
Throughout this process, there will be several ongoing ways to participate. Sign up for updates here through Deschutes 2040 to stay involved.
4. Take an online survey
The County plans to make an online survey available later this month. Check the project website for updates.