Letter to the editor re: Scott Valley Area Plan

"Many residents of Siskiyou County may have heard of the Scott Valley Area Plan but many may not know how it originated.

Back in the late 1970's a Los Angles development company had a "get rich" proposal to subdivide and create a large planned development on the spectacular AP Cattle Ranch on the upper East fork of the Scott River on the Callahan / Gazelle Road. This level of development greatly concerned many citizens of Scott Valley who wanted to preserve Scott Valley for what it is, an undeveloped agriculture based rural valley.

In 1980, the Scott Valley Area Plan was written by the citizens of Scott Valley and it was voted into law by the citizens of Siskiyou County and the Board of Supervisors and now serves to control development in Scott Valley. There are very few places left like Scott Valley in the United States and beyond. It's uniqueness and natural beauty make it a primate target for developers to exploit for private gain. But fortunately the Plan was created so that ranchers, farmers, loggers, and miners have the "right of way" not red Mustang convertible rental cars. It was written to protect deer wintering grounds where our deer herds would not have to live in the shadows of concentrated housing units. The Plan hoped that the Valley's local swimming holes could always be enjoyed by the Locals, not overtaken by Outsiders. It desired that the Valley's roads would not experience the endless caravans of cars that plague more urban areas.

Imagine how much different the Rogue Valley would be today if it would have been fortunate enough to have a Plan. The Scott Valley Area Plan was created by the residents of Siskiyou County and can be protected by the residents of Siskiyou County. The developers will attempt to find any loophole they can to circumvent the Plan to get what they want. Your opinion is very valuable to make sure the Scott Valley Area Plan continues to meet its goals. Please contact your Siskiyou County Supervisor."