REDMOND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners heard two appeals Wednesday of a request to modify the fish and wildlife management plan for the controversial Thornburgh Resort. After several hours of testimony, Commissioners decided to keep the comment period open for at least two more weeks.  Many people spoke against the proposed resort east of Redmond, including Austin Smith, Jr. who was representing the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, “We kind of want to collect ourselves really and understand all these mitigations and how they will impact or be productive for not only our fish species, but our cultural resources and our cultural foods.”

Joe Craig, of Bend, asked Commissioners to deny the amended plan, “I’m concerned on pressure place on our existing water supply in maintaining high quality water for people, wildlife, and agriculture.”

Many, like Susan Hart of Redmond, are concerned with the resort's impact, “I think that it is self-evident that with climate change and with lack of affordable housing that it is high time that we not look backwards but plan for the future.”

Thornburgh’s scientists and attorneys argued the resort’s proposed water usage meets current requirements, but ODFW has pushed back on those findings. 

Both the resort and a Bend citizen filed opposing appeals; disputing separate portions of a hearings officer’s recommendations to deny development of the resort.