With a few breakthrough projects this year and changes behind the scenes at Rogue Advocates we have quite a lot to tell you! We thank all of you who contributed generous donations, both in time and monetarily, that have allowed us to see so much done halfway through the year in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The State of Oregon is known for its beautiful and productive farmlands, sprawling forests, and stunning waterways. Every day, Rogue Advocates works to protect these important spaces from development, mismanagement, and destruction. While we cannot protect every inch of the Rogue Valley, know that your continued support allows us to keep working toward a better future for our region. Learn more about what we have been up to and up against below!
First, a somber Update from Rogue Advocates
As some of you may have heard, we lost an invaluable member of the Rogue Advocates land use advocacy team. Our Co-founder of Rogue Advocates and incredible advocate Jimmy Macleod passed away late last year. Since we cannot possibly include an adequate statement to just what an incredible person and asset Jimmy was in this short update, please check our website for the beautiful tribute to Jimmy written by our current president Steve Rouse. Jimmy’s advocacy literally saved thousands of acres of farmland from urban sprawl, and we wouldn’t be here without him.
Wildfire Ordinance – Josephine County
In early 2024, the Josephine County Commissioners introduced and approved revisions to Chapter 19 of the county comprehensive plan, relaxing or eliminating minimum wildfire and safety mitigation standards for structure development across the county. Notably, Josephine County is the only area in Oregon without a countywide fire district to provide fire protection services, yet the county is the most vulnerable area for wildfire in the state. During a local hearing, Rogue Advocates emphasized that these changes promoted by the Commissioners would compromise public safety and heighten the risk of catastrophic wildfires in rural areas.
A key revision is that the county will no longer require property owners seeking building permits to demonstrate fire-fighting capabilities or have a contract with a certified fire protection service like Rural Metro. Despite our comments the Commissioners voted to approve their revisions. Rogue Advocates has appealed these revisions to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), arguing they violate state law, which aims to establish minimum wildfire and safety mitigation standards to protect human life, structures, wildlands, and improve emergency access. Josephine County, one of the most fire-prone in Oregon, faces increased safety risks due to these changes. Steve Rouse, President of Rogue Advocates, criticized the commissioners for ignoring public safety concerns and misinterpreting the role of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), which does not provide structural fire protection despite the commissioners’ claims. Rogue Advocates, represented by the non-profit Crag Law Center, has appealed the county’s ordinance revisions through the state LUBA hearing process,
UPDATE: We just received the LUBA decision of our appeal and we WON on all our assignments of error. LUBA rejected the broad relaxation of fire protection standards for both rural residential and forest zoned properties and remanded the proposed revisions back to the county. This means Josephine County can simply keep the original safeguards in place or attempt to revise and weaken the wildfire ordinance.
Marvin Gardens Update
Rogue Advocates has actively participated in the ongoing hearings concerning Don Marvin’s proposal to rezone 89 acres near Merlin in Josephine County from forest resource to rural residential parcels. Despite initial approval by the county, our collaboration with 1000 Friends of Oregon has resulted in two successful appeals at LUBA. These appeals underscore our commitment to upholding Oregon Administrative Rules governing land use, specifically focusing on soil capability for sustaining commercial forest operations.
As the proceedings move forward, we remain dedicated to ensuring that urban sprawl is curtailed and that the integrity of wildland urban interfaces is preserved. The decision on April 2, 2024 in which the commissioners voted in favor of the applicant Don Marvin, held significant implications for future land use policies in Josephine County. When the final decision is made, Rogue Advocates will consider a third appeal to LUBA if funding is available.
Final Notes
Rogue Advocates cannot do what we do without you! We as an organization are entirely funded by the support of the local community. Every dollar (and every message of support or information!) counts toward keeping the Rogue Valley sustainable and beautiful. As some of you may have noticed, we have a new donation system online! If you or a loved one has set up recurring donations to support Rogue Advocates, please ensure that they have been updated within our new system. This system allows us to better track and respond to your generosity and is even more secure for your financial safety. We look forward to your incredibly valuable support, especially considering the upcoming appeals!