Lawmakers hear split views on disputed Bend footbridge

Several people living in Bend drove to Salem to be heard Thursday morning, as the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee had a public meeting on House Bill 4029, legislation that would ban a disputed pedestrian bridge proposed just south of the city.

The committee heard from several current and former city officials and others on both sides of the long-discussed proposal to connect trails just south of Bend, near Rimrock Trails.

House Bill 4029 would prohibit any person, public body or local service district from building a bridge on the Deschutes River within certain areas of the Deschutes scenic waterway.

The Bend Parks and Recreation District is opposing the bill, saying the bridge has long been a part of the district’s master plan and the city’s transportation system plan.

Those who support the bill told lawmakers the legislation, which has been struck down before, would protect natural habitat in the area.

“It’s certainly not that people are claiming that this section of the river no longer deserves protection,” former mayor Jim Clinton said. “Instead, what we have is a local agency (the park district) gone rogue, seeking to destroy the outstanding remarkable values that have been protected by the wild and scenic designation.”

Clinton testified along with representatives from Oregon Wild, a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental issues.

He also claimed the proposed bridge is about convenience, not about transportation.

Mayor Pro Tem Sally Russell said she disagrees with Clinton and that the trail link is part of the city’s long-term plan.

Late Wednesday, the Bend City Council voted 5-2 to support a letter in opposition to the measure, telling lawmakers it would remove an aspect of transportation planning from local control.

“From our point of view, from the city of Bend, we’re looking at our entire population, and this transportation system plan that’s gone through a robust public process. It stands for itself,” Russell said.

Russell told NewsChannel 21 that she and Deschutes County Commissioner Tammy Baney would be willing to form a group with key local officials and discuss other solutions to connect trails in the area.

State Reps. Gene Whisnant and Knute Buehler told NewsChannel 21 earlier this week that they don’t support any new bridge over the Deschutes River.

If you’d like to weigh in on this house bill in Salem, the public record will be open until Feb. 14.