As I See It: The Land Conservation and Development Commission
Oregon is one of the few states to have taken seriously the protection of its natural beauty. After Earth Day in 1970, both Republicans and Democra...
Oregon is one of the few states to have taken seriously the protection of its natural beauty. After Earth Day in 1970, both Republicans and Democrats in Salem established a commission to coordinate goals and objectives across the state as cities, counties and agencies sought to balance economic growth with environmental health. The Land Conservation and Development Commission was created 50 years ago this month when Gov. Tom McCall signed Senate Bill 100 into law. Urban growth boundaries, protected coastal areas and healthy farm and forest lands have set Oregon apart from many other states where massive suburban sprawl feeds a hot economy but diminishes quality of life for millions of people.