For Washingtonians,
this report on Oregon's Measure 37 offers a helpful lesson of what's to come in your state. (Well, maybe not, as I-933 is even MORE intense than M37.)
From loggers:
The LeTourneux tree farm is nearly surrounded by some 850 acres of privately-owned forest owned by a Measure 37 claimant. The owner, a developer named Bob Hemstreet, filed a claim for $35 million for loss of use, and if the county doesn't pay, he may be able to subdivide the property and build as many as 848 homes on 1-acre home sites.
From farmers:
Crystal Vanderzanden drives her car up to the edge of a flat field that borders her rye grass farm. She wants to take a closer look where the proposed 48-home subdivision might sit. But she's careful not to let her tires touch the neighbor's field, even though she's angry that the landowner filed a Measure 37 claim. Unable to pay the $9.5 million claim that landowner Louise Bernards wanted for lost value, Washington County, which encompasses Portland's western suburbs along with prime farmland, must now allow a subdivision in the middle of an area zoned exclusively for farming.
Inside a National Monument:
East Lake is now the focal point of one of Oregon's biggest Measure 37 claims. A private landowner, James Miller, who holds 157 forested acres inside the National Monument (which includes shoreline along the west side of East Lake) filed a $203 million claim for loss of use under the measure. Because the government couldn't pay up, the landowner now has approval to build a pumice mine, a geothermal plant, and as many as 150 vacation homes on the property. Geologists hired by the landowner will soon begin looking at where to tap the geothermal energy.
From animal husbandry:
Susie Kunzman and her husband Wayne love their quiet rural life. They bought the property two years ago to grow their alpaca farm, now with 35 animals which by themselves have an estimated worth of $350,000. But all that could change if a proposed 80-acre gravel mine goes in just over the Kunzman's fence line. Her neighbors, Charles and Wanda Daugherty, now hold an approved Measure 37 claim that allows the quarry and makes it easier to obtain permits. The county could not pay the Daughertys for loss of use, so under Measure 37 it was forced to approve their claim.
Worrying about water:
Enter Measure 37. Adjacent to the neighborhood is a new Measure 37 claim for 82 new homes on 215 acres. The land slated for development is currently zoned for farming; the landowner wanted $18 million from Marion County for potential loss in value if his development couldn't proceed. Because the local government cannot pay, plans for the homes are moving forward.
How it impacts neighbours:
Scott says that the buyers "immediately pulled their offer" when they discovered that the farm borders a Measure 37 claim. Now the Lays have heard that the buyer bought land elsewhere in the area--and no new buyers have shown interest.
But remember... Initiative 933 is SO MUCH worse than Oregon's Measure 37. At least Measure 37 rolled back regulations to the date of the property's purchase. I-933 rolls back all regulations for ALL PROPERTIES.
VOTE NO ON I-933!