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Skyline Forest deal could help Deschutes Land Trust conserve 66,500 acres in Central Oregon

Recent legislation details development vs. conservation options

Details of a legislative pilot project were released during a legislative hearing Tuesday, outlining how Fidelity National Financial could develop a portion of Skyline Forest if they sold the remainder to the Deschutes Land Trust. Should the Skyline Forest owners choose to utilize the legislation, the Land Trust would have the opportunity to conserve up to 66,000 acres of forestland in Central Oregon.

Bend, OR—The Deschutes Land Trust appears to be a big step closer to conserving Skyline Forest, the 33,000 acre timberland overlooking Bend, Oregon. Details of a legislative pilot project were released during a legislative hearing Tuesday, outlining how the Fidelity National Financial could develop a portion of the forest if they sold the remainder to the Deschutes Land Trust. Should the Skyline Forest owners choose to utilize the legislation, the Land Trust would have the opportunity to conserve up to 66,000 acres (31,800 acres within Skyline Forest and 34,700 acres near the Little Deschutes River) of forestland in Central Oregon.

The legislation gives s Fidelity (or its successor) the option to proceed under the legislation within five years. Essentially, the legislation creates an incentive for the landowner to limit the “footprint” of their development, rather than breaking the forest into numerous parcels.

“We’ve worked on this project for over 4 years but frankly didn’t anticipate legislation this year.  However, a number of factors combined to give us our best and perhaps last shot at keeping these lands from being broken up.  Still, assuming the legislation is enacted, we’ve got a lot of work and a lot of money to raise before these lands are protected,” commented Brad Chalfant, Deschutes Land Trust Executive Director.

For Central Oregon to seize the opportunity to conserve over 100 square miles of forestland, the Deschutes Land Trust will have to raise a significant amount of money.  Currently, the Land Trust has secured $1.5 million from the national Forest Legacy program, which would be supplemented with additional Forest Legacy proposals, revenue bonds from the Community Forest Authority and a private fundraising campaign.

The Skyline legislation creates a graduated approach to conservation and development. Should Fidelity decide to sell only the 33,000 acre Skyline Forest to the Land Trust, they would be allowed 137 residential units within a 1,200 acre development. Fidelity may develop additional units within t this “footprint,” but must in turn offer more acres for conservation. The number of residential units is capped at 282 units and that level of development would be contingent on more than 66,000 acres being permanently conserved.

 “A great deal of credit goes to Central Oregon Landwatch and Fidelity for rolling up their sleeves and being both proactive and pragmatic, as this sort of “win-win” solution is pretty rare,” said Chalfant.

Skyline Forest is a 33,000 acre forest west of Bend and south of Sisters in Central Oregon. A former tree farm, the forest constitutes much of the scenic view from Bend and Tumalo, while providing important wildlife habitat and outstanding recreational opportunities. The Land Trust would conserve the forest as a sustainably managed community forest. The legislation would also allow the Land Trust to conserve portions of the historic Gilchrist Tree Farm running south from Sunriver along the Little Deschutes River to the town of the town of Crescent in Klamath County.  Protection of the Gilchrist Tree Farm would protect an important mule deer migration corridor, while maintaining sustainable timber production for local mills.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. Since 1995, the Land Trust has protected more than 7,200 acres in Central Oregon. For more on information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever

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