By Associated Press & Amy Sienicki
 
November 12, 2008
 
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. --The next struggle over land use in Oregon may be over a proposal that the Legislature allow more regional control of zoning farm and forest land.
 
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski appointed the Big Look Task Force to help with statewide land use problems in 2005. Now three years later, the group is proposing a more regional approach to land use. It has recommended allowing regional decisions on rezoning unproductive or compromised farm and forest land in limited situations.
 
Legislation proposed by the task force would allow two or more counties to petition the state Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt a regional definition of farm and forest land. The counties would have to show that development wouldn't significantly increase energy use, reduce water quality or harm fish and wildlife.
 
But conservation groups worry that it will result in more development in rural areas. 1000 Friends of Oregon called the proposal "a very bad idea."
 
"It comes on the heels of Measures 37 and 49. There's been several ballot measures that have kind of provided evidence that there's displeasure with the system the way it is," says Big Look Task Force Project Manager John Evans.
 
Evans says a policy committee is currently working on a regional problem solving project in Southern Oregon. The policy committee chair says having a regional system will help some cities make more informed decisions on long term transportation, housing, and energy needs.
 
"This group has been crafting a plan that will allow the region to accomodate population growth at the same time that we try to retain our livability and some of the values that we care about," says Ashland Council Member Kate Jackson.