No new legislation - yet - on Skyline Forest

Last updated 2/22/2011 at Noon

Rumors have been flying across the Sisters Country over the past couple of weeks that Fidelity National Financial, owner of Skyline Forest, is seeking new legislation that would allow much more intensive development of the property.

Last year, legislation was agreed that would allow Fidelity to develop 282 residential units on a portion of the property. Deschutes Land Trust (DLT) would be able to acquire the balance of the 33,000 acre forest south and east of Sisters.

Activists believe Fidelity is seeking legislation that would increase the number of units to 800 or more in order to make the project "pencil" for the developer. It appears that there has been considerable talk about new legislation, but no clear determination that it will be introduced.

Nancy Craven, attorney for Fidelity, says that new legislation is not on the table as of now.

"That decision has not been made yet," she said. "I think we're a ways from being in a position to know if that's a good thing to do or not."

Rep. Gene Whisnant, who would be the likely sponsor of new legislation, also said that nothing is currently moving forward.

"I'm not getting into negotiations with the developer and Brad Chalfant (of DLT) about number of units," he said. "I'm not hiding anything. We don't have a bill. I dropped one as a placeholder, but we don't have details."

It is still possible for new legislation to be presented, but time is getting short. The deadline for bills to clear the Oregon House of Representatives this session is April 26, Whisnant said.

"If it happens in the near future, we could still move it," he said.

Whisnant pledged that he would let his constituents know immediately if a bill is introduced.

Chalfant is being patient and awaiting definitive news.

"Projects often morph and go through different configurations before you finally get them done," he said. "We take the long view and we're committed to trying to acquire the property for the public."

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Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.