Goal 5 is a broad statewide planning goal that covers more than a dozen resources. The resources range from wildlife habitat, to historic places, and gravel mines. To protect and plan for them, local governments are asked to create a number of inventories. The inventories in a local plan may address only a portion of the resources included in Goal 5.
When the County first developed its Goal 5 plan, it looked at the Goal 5 resources that occurred locally and were important to address. The County reviewed land uses allowed on or near each resource site that might have a negative impact on the resource. The County then decided on a level of protection appropriate for each resource site and adopted codes to put those policies into effect. State rules for implementing Goal 5 have been adopted and amended over the years. As the County updates our plans and codes we have the opportunity to adopt policies and codes that are consistent with the current state rules for Goal 5.
The "Goal 5 Process" starts with an inventory of Goal 5 resources. Resource sites are assessed and significant sites are protected. Rules for some Goal 5 resource categories rely on inventories and assessments that have been conducted by state or federal entities. There are six Goal 5 resource categories that rely on state or federal inventories: wild and scenic rivers, state scenic waterways, groundwater resources, Oregon recreation trails, Sage Grouse habitat, and wilderness areas. Three categories require local inventories. Initiating an inventory and completing the Goal 5 process for the remaining resource categories is optional.