But that's exactly what the Marion County Commission is poised to do. The Commission soon will vote on a proposal to weaken the plan that guides how we will grow in the future.

The Urban Growth Management Framework, adopted in 2002, encourages efficient, compact urban development and minimizes pressure to expand Urban Growth Boundaries. In doing so, the Framework also protects the land base that supports agriculture and the local economy.

The original Framework is sound public policy. It was developed with broad public support from the farm community, environmentalists, land-use activists and citizens from rural and urban areas.
The Framework encourages more efficient use of urban land by adopting specific residential density guidelines for cities and towns. Smaller towns have smaller targets to meet. These guidelines encourage vibrant neighborhoods wherein residents can walk or bike instead of driving, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting exercise in daily life.

However, proposed amendments to the Framework significantly weaken the guidelines and encourage inefficient, carbon-spewing sprawl.

For example, small cities like Aurora and Gates would have no guidelines at all.  The farmland around Aurora deserves just as much protection from urban sprawl as the farmland around Jefferson or Mt. Angel. Instead of providing this equal protection, the amendments eliminate them entirely. Guidelines for other cities will also drop significantly.

Weakening the Framework will impact the rural landscape as well.

Marion County is the leading producer of agricultural products in the state, generating over half a billion in sales in 2006.

Protecting our local food supply from urban sprawl is more important than ever. Locally grown food doesn't take enormous amounts of fossil fuel to transport to our table. Protecting our valuable farmland boosts the local economy and reduces our carbon footprint.

Talk about a "win-win."

At a time when Oregon needs bold leadership to address the challenge of growth and climate change, Marion County wants to turn back the clock.

Weakening the framework will harm agriculture, harm the local economy, cost taxpayers money, increase healthcare costs, and damage the environment.

This proposal is a solution in search of a problem. It makes no sense on economic or environmental grounds. But despite strong public opposition, it continues to move forward. At the Planning Commission hearing, farmers and environmentalists were united in their opposition to the plan; not a single person testified in favor.

As Oregonians, we have a responsibility to leave a legacy of good stewardship for our children and grandchildren.

This issue will come before the Marion County Commissioners on Wednesday February 6, at 9:30 a.m. in the first floor hearing room of the Marion County Offices, 555 Court St NE, Salem OR. For those unable to attend in person, written statements can be mailed to: Marion County Planning Division, PO Box 14500, Salem OR 97309 or e-mailed to Planning@co.marion.or.us

We hope you will join with us to tell our commissioners to reject this misguided policy.