Senate passes Metolius bill

SALEM (AP) - The Oregon Senate has passed a bill that would ban most development in the Metolius River basin, designating it as an Area of Critical Statewide Concern.

The bill headed to the House on Tuesday (see result of vote at http://www.nuggetnews.com). If it becomes law, the 450-unit destination resort known as The Metolian, tentatively approved by Jefferson County could not be built.

Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, said last Friday that people from across the nation have written to support protecting the river.

The Oregonian said opponents condemned the measure as an unwarranted intrusion by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and legislators into a local land-use issue.

Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, said the effort to create the statewide concern designation this winter was marked by what he called dubious science and inaccurate maps and data.