One of the sneaky “genius” features of Measure 37 is that it was structured in a way that made it very difficult to track its true impact on the Oregon landscape. Claims could be filed in multiple jurisdictions, in different formats, with differing levels of detail.
Well, just in case there was any doubt of the terrible damage in store for Oregon’s farmland, forests, water resources and quality of life, here it is in living color. We have compiled the location of claims of 100 acres or more and plotted them across the Oregon map, so you can see where the damage will be done. And remember: these are just the claims of 100 acres or more. There are literally thousands of smaller ones across the state. These maps were prepared by the Measure 49 campaign and are derived from public records. All claims data was collected directly from the counties and state and geocoded for GIS mapping.
One of the reasons that Measure 49 is so important is that it distinguishes between these huge, disfiguring developments and those claims where people truly just want to put a few houses on their land for their kids or their retirement. Measure 49 will stop the big development claims where they simply don't belong, while protecting property rights, and property value, for everyone else.
The claims indicated by purple dots on these maps are only those 100 acres or greater in size. There are literally thousands of smaller claims across the state. Combined, there have been over 7,500 Measure 37 claims filed on more than 750,000 acres. Most claims are on property that before Measure 37 was protected forest or farmland. To date, demands for compensation under Measure 37 total more than $20 billion dollars. Timber companies with Measure 37 claims and other large landholding companies demand the right to build massive subdivisions on forest and farmland, or to be compensated by state and local governments.
Measure 49 stops these large developments and protects Oregon, while delivering on the failed promises of Measure 37. Measure 49 automatically allows up to 3 houses for landholders wanting to expand, and up to 10 houses if the property holder proves market value loss - and Measure 49 guarantees these development rights are automatically passed on to family - something that Measure 37 failed to do. But Measure 49 puts a stop to the abuses filed under Measure 37 by timber companies and other large land-holding companies.
Check out maps of Measure 37 claims by Oregon city and county.
