Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads • Entered by Mary Fleischmann on October 28, 2022
Thornburg Resort public comment
October 24, 2022
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 6.75 |
| Post Admin hours | 1.5 |
| Activity Hours | 3.5 |
| Participants | 1 |
| Total Hours | 11.75 |
Key Issue: Landscape Planning (Forest Plans, RMPs, TMPs, etc.)
Activity Type: Advocacy (rallies, lobbying, meeting decision makers, letters/calls/emails)
Key Partners: Land Watch, Sierra Club, public at large
Short Description of Activity
Public comment with the county hearing officer in regards to Thornburg wanting approval to amend the Final Master Plan by amending the Fish and Wildlife Management Plan. This has been an ongoing concern regarding the development of this resort since 2004 and has had numerous issues with litigation/law suits.
Reflection/Evaluation
The biggest issue for most who attended, ourselves as well has to do with water rights. Thornburg lost their water rights in 2018 and currently despite downsizing their original development plan, are trying to convince everyone that they will be good stewards. The fact is we have been in severe drought for many years, locals in the area are having issues with their wells going dry, groundwater is a concern, and Thornburg is coming up with some kind of plan of how they can mitigate water from other areas. There are at this time over 250 letters opposed to this project sent to the county. There were 30 people in person at this hearing and 79 via zoom. There were no one present outside of Thornburg who approve of this project. A decision will be made in the coming months, which will most likely be appealed one way or the other. Very personal testimony.