Synopsis of Thornburgh proposal to purchase State Lands. March 14, 2022. (PDF Page)

Thornburgh resort synopsis

The Thornburgh Resort has been trying since 2005 to build three golf courses and several
hundred houses and two manmade lakes. They project using 6,000 gallons of water/day and
can’t find a water source. They’ve switched tactics and are applying for land uses for smaller
things, like a clubhouse. The hearings officer approved the application and the county
commissioners just denied the appeal. Now the Resort wants to buy 400 of state owned public
land, 400 acres which would be fenced and removed from the land available for public use.

The Department of State Lands (DSL) is a statewide agency that manages Oregon’s
state-owned lands. They are required by the Oregon Constitution to “manage lands
under its jurisdiction with the object of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people
of this state, consistent with the conservation of this resource under sound
techniques of land management.” (Article III, Section 5) DSL is also required, when
selling any state lands, to consider their scenic and recreational value to the public.
(ORS 273.051)

The land is located very close to Tumalo Canal Historic area (recreational area), is part of prime
deer winter range, puts housing in a remote area with little access to water in case of fire, at
this time the state has surplus money so it doesn’t need the money for the school fund, and
public land should be retained for public use.

Central Oregon LandWatch has published a site asking people to write to the Department of
State Lands. The site has an extensive explanation of what is happening and maps showing the
land the resort wants to purchase.

For more information and where to send your comments please visit:
Send your comments to https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/Land/Pages/LandComment.aspx and
mention the transaction # 63509-LS
https://www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/update/thornburgh
https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/Land/Documents/ClineButtes_AgendaItem.pdf