National Forest lands without roads represent only about 2 percent of the total landbase of the United States, yet they provide clean drinking water, recreation and large open spaces that offer solitude and beauty. These areas often provide important habitat for rare plant and animal species, offer opportunities for monitoring and research, and help stop the spread of invasive species. One of the proposals is to repeal Oregon's landmark Bicycle Bill, and divert money currently dedicated to providing transportation choices to road upkeep. A large amount of the money spent on bicycle facilities in the state has happened since a successful 1995 lawsuit against the City of Portland that required them to comply with the Bicycle Bill. System development charges are fees paid by new development to recover part of the cost of providing new infrastructure.
State law limits such fees to stormwater, water, sewer, transportation and parks impacts.
This creates an economic incentive for inefficient growth on city edges, instead of reinvestment in existing communities. It also sets up a situation where growth must lead to either increased taxes or decreasing service. By fairly recovering the costs of growth, cities can better maintain high-quality services while growing.