HR Valley had one of the highest densities of Measure 37 claims in Oregon. Thanks to Measure 49, passed in November 2007, the greatest threats from Measure 37 were stopped.

Measure 37 & 49

[December 2nd, 2008]

Measure 37 was approved by Oregon voters in 2004 sending Oregon's land use planning system into a tailspin. It required cities, counties and the state of Oregon to waive land use protections or pay the owners to obey the laws. By late 2007, 25% of Hood River County's farmland had Measure 37 claims.

HRVRC responded on several fronts including:

  1. Working with Crag Law Center to Challenge the State of Oregon's implementation of Measure 37
  2. Educating citizens about the impact of Measure 37 on HR County
  3. Working with the Yes-on-49 campaign in Wasco and Hood River Counties

The Measure 49 campaign was successful with 62% of Oregonians voting in favor. In March, 2009, HRVRC dismissed its entire lawsuit which challenged the State of Oregon's implementation of Measure 37.