Oregonians In Action Alert 

Farmers and Ranchers - Watch Out For Senate Bill 823A 

May 23, 2007 

Today, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by
State Representative Arnie Roblan (D - Coos Bay), held its first public
hearing on Senate Bill 823A.

If passed, SB 823A would prohibit counties from issuing any kind of permit
for installation, construction or repair of any agricultural related
structures within 100 feet of the Oregon Trail, whether the trail is visible
or not, and whether there are already structures in that area.

The bill applies in all zones and areas along the Oregon Trail , whether
urban or rural.  For farmers and ranchers, that means that anything that
requires a permit will be prohibited within 100 feet of the trail.  A new
farm building, an irrigation line, farmworker housing, a well - all will be
prohibited under SB 823A.

As one farmer stated, "we've paid for this land with hard work and sweat and
hard earned dollars."  These words are true.  But if you own property along
the trail, your rights are going to be taken.

Prior to this session, all property owners impacted by SB 823A would be
protected by Measure 37, which protects the rights of property owners along
the trail, along with every other property owner in Oregon .

But unfortunately, the Oregon legislature is currently considering the
adoption of House Bill 3540B, which would eliminate all protections for
property owners along the trail.  If HB 3540B passes, farmers and ranchers
have no protection from bills like SB 823A.

HB 3540B is primarily backed by the Oregon Farm Bureau Federation, 1000
Friends of Oregon, and the Oregon Conservation Network, a coalition of 40
environmental organizations such as the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives
to Pesticides, Waterwatch of Oregon, the Oregon League of Conservation
Voters, and the Sierra Club Oregon Chapter.

Remember these organizations.  If both SB 823A and HB 3540B pass, these
organizations will be responsible for taking your property rights from you.

Because the legislature appears ready to try and repeal Measure 37 and
destroy our property rights protections, it is imperative that we stop both
HB 3540B and SB 823A, and that we be prepared to stop these bills every
session from now on!

SB 823A has already passed the Oregon Senate.  If you want to stop SB 823A,
you must now contact your state representative.  If you don't know who your
state representative is, you can find out by going to the legislature's
website.  Here is the link to that website:

http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

Please make the call today!

Sincerely,

Dave Hunnicutt
President
Oregonians In Action