Owners of the proposed Skyline Forest, Fidelity National Timber, appear willing to submit their proposal to develop a portion of the forest for an independent assesment. The assesment will compare Fidelity's propsal to develop 1,500 acres and permanently protect 31,500 acres with the impacts that would result from putting the property back on the market.

The Deschutes Land Trust has been working to conserve the 33,000 acre Skyline Forest for nearly two years. Fidelity's willingness to submit their propsal marks an unprecendented step that should give the public a unique opportunity to judge the tradeoffs of Fidelity's offer. The Land Trust expects any updates on the assesment to happen this summer.