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Save Helvetia is a coalition of farmers, business owners, concerned citizens, neighbors, and residents of the greater Helvetia area who are working to protect the Helvetia community and its neighboring agricultural lands.

If you are new to the site, we invite you to read about why Save Helvetia was formed, learn more about the Urban and Rural Reserves process that is affecting our area, and view the map to see for yourself how much of our farm land is at risk.  Then read our arguments for designating the lands north of Highway 26 as Rural Reserves.

Our work continues – final hearings in January

On September 8^th, Washington County submitted their recommendations to the Reserves Steering Committee (RSC), moving the discussion to the regional level.  Please read this September update from the Steering Committee for our reaction to the recommendations.

From September through November, we presented extensive testimony before Metro Council and the Core 4, in particular at the Metro "Making the Greatest Place" hearings.  We also pointed out to the Washington County Commissioners that they had not taken a formal position on the recommendations, and encouraged them to hold public hearings and "go on the record" regarding their individual positions on urban and rural reserves, so that their constituents might know where they stand on this important issue.  They decided to hold these hearings in December.

We again presented more testimony at these hearings and at the continuing Metro Council and Core 4 meetings.

In mid-December, the Core 4 released their proposed urban and rural reserve areas, which are to be used as the basis for public comment during January.  Please read this end-of-December update from the Steering Committee for discussion of the December hearings and the Core 4 maps.

The final set of hearings will be held in January, and final decisions on reserve areas are expected by the end of February 2010.  We expect to again have a significant presence at the hearings, and to urge the Core 4 to "finish the job" by designating the remaining small sections of land north of Highway 26 as rural reserves.

We encourage you to attend one or more of these hearings, either to testify or to show your support.  Please contact us if you are able to attend and testify.

New Ag/Natural Resources Coalition formed

The Ag/Natural Resources Coalition has been formed to advocate for protecting vital natural resources for the good of the region.  It represents an unprecedented effort to combine the expertise and wisdom of advocacy communities who don't always agree, but who share similar convictions.  The coalition has developed a map that represents their "best effort" to apply SB 1011's intent, text, and administrative rules fairly and consistently to the designation of Rural and Urban Reserves.  The proposal designates the most rural reserves and the least urban reserves of any maps proposed so far.

See our ANRC page for complete details, including the map, press release, video of the news conference, and press coverage.

FRIENDS 1469

Your support is needed more than ever – please help cover our legal costs

As part of our efforts, we have engaged a land-use attorney to represent our position before Washington County and Metro.  This is a significant expense, and we need help paying the bill.  We are suggesting donations of between $25 and $40, but any amount will be greatly appreciated!  It's quick and easy to donate using your credit card - no PayPal account is needed.

We are continuing our effort to demonstrate public support throughout the Portland metro area for designating the candidate areas north of Highway 26 as RURAL reserves.  Our goal is to find "2000 Friends of Greater Helvetia" -- that is, to have 2000 people sign petitions or submit testimony.  Progress toward our goal is shown at the right.

We urge you to support our mission by submitting your comments to the Reserves decision-makers.  We've made it really easy -- just visit our testimony page, write your thoughts, and submit the form.  We'll take care of the rest!  If you need ideas, you may read letters that others have submitted or news articles about the process.

There are also many other ways you can help save the Helvetia area – it’s the gem of Washington County!