By Central Oregon Land Watch and 1000 Friends of Oregon | 1.5-minute read
Letter to Governor and Legislature highlights housing, economic, climate, and livability benefits ahead of 2026 legislative session
SALEM, Ore. — 53 organizations from across the state have come together to urge elected leaders to uphold Oregon’s visionary land use planning program by penning a joint letter to Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Legislature as the 2026 legislative short session gets underway.
The letter—signed by organizations representing conservation, climate, housing, transportation, agriculture, and public interests—expresses strong support for Oregon’s renowned land use planning framework and raises concerns about increased threats that would undermine its effectiveness and integrity.
Oregon’s land use program is widely recognized for helping the state provide housing for Oregonians within urban growth boundaries, protect irreplaceable farms and forests that anchor rural economies and livelihoods, reduce climate pollution by limiting sprawl, and preserve wildlife habitat and open space. As Oregon confronts interconnected challenges related to housing affordability, climate change, wildfire risk, and growth, the program’s durability and flexibility make it more essential than ever.
“At a time when other Western states are grappling with the consequences of unchecked sprawl, Oregon’s program continues to deliver real benefits for people and places,” said Rory Isbell, Staff Attorney at Central Oregon LandWatch.
"A big tent of Oregonians created our land use system in response to pollution and sprawl from greedy industry interests,” said Sam Diaz, executive director at 1000 Friends of Oregon. “The determination and spirit that put Oregon front and center for planning our communities and protecting wild lands is in the DNA of what makes Oregon such a special place to call home.”
By uniting voices that represent broad interests and diverse communities, this letter sends a clear message to lawmakers heading into the short session: Oregon’s land use program remains essential to our state’s livability, identity, and future.
See the full letter and list of signatories.
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Media contacts
Lace Thornberg, Communications Director at Central Oregon Land Watch, 541-647-2930, ext 802, lace@colw.org
Jenni Denekas, Communications Manager at 1000 Friends of Oregon, (503) 468-3536, jenni@friends.org