1. LOCATION ELEMENT INDEX 1.10 PURPOSE 1.20 REGIONAL • Western States • Geography
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1. LOCATION ELEMENT INDEX 1.10 PURPOSE 1.20 REGIONAL • Western States • Geography - ocean - valleys - mountains - desert 1.30 STATE • Characteristics - recreation opportunities - environmental quality - land use planning 1.40 LOCAL • Location - southwest Oregon - Rogue River Valley • Recreational Opportunities • Regional Importance of Location - distance to major market areas 1.50 FINDINGS Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 1 LOCATION ELEMENT 1.10 PURPOSE The purpose of this element is to describe the location of Grants Pass relative to the amenities that make it an enjoyable and desirable place in which to work and live. The geography of the City will be presented on regional, state and local levels. Each level of geographic location specifies different advantages for the City of Grants Pass. Taken all together, these advantages describe a very unique place to live and work. 1.20 REGIONAL LOCATION The western states that border the Pacific Ocean are known as the Pacific Rim States (see Map 1-1). These states include Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. The City of Grants Pass is located in southwestern Oregon (see map 1-2). The geography of these states, except Alaska, is remarkably similar; all the states have coastal shorelines, inland valleys, a central mountain range and eastern deserts. The land area is vast and the population densities are relatively low. The Pacific Rim States offer many amenities to the inhabitants. There is the endless coastline with its sandy beaches, jagged cliffs and abundant wildlife including whales, seals, shorebirds, deer and bear. East of the ocean, behind the protection of the small coastal mountains, lie large interior valleys resplendent with verdant agricultural fields and clear, mountain-fed rivers and streams. Here also in these temperate valleys, reside the majority of the population in cities and towns that have grown prosperous from the riches of farming, fishing, forestry, and mining. Proceeding east from the interior valleys the elevations increase dramatically as the massive Sierra Nevada-Cascade mountain range rises skyward to altitudes of 14,00 feet above sea level. These mountains offer an unimaginable vastness of space that provides year-round opportunities for recreation and solitudes. In the rain shadow of the mountains lie the deserts, and expansive and diverse land, abundant with life forms and contrasting beauty. The arid deserts, snow-covered mountains, green valleys and blue ocean are all within reach of the residents of the Pacific Rim States. 1.30 STATE The City of Grants Pass is located in the southwestern quarter of the State of Oregon. Oregon is a state progressive in the areas of recreation, environmental quality and land use planning. The recreational opportunities in Oregon are as diverse as the natural features. Thanks to the farsightedness of past Oregonians, the entire Oregon coastline is accessible to the public. There are over 100 state parks and waysides along the coastline provided for public use. Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 2 Another vast area of recreational opportunity is the Cascades mountain range. The Cascades extend from the southern to the northern border of the state, effectively dividing the state into two distinct geographic regions. The Cascades provide opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, and skiing. Over 50% of Oregon is publicly owned, and most of the Cascades range is accessible to the public. The final vast area of the recreational opportunity, comprising fully one-third of the land of the state, is the Oregon high desert. The desert lies in the rain shadow of the Cascades and is relatively arid compared to the western slope of the mountains. However, the high desert is more than sand and sage brush. It is pine-oak forests, juniper thickets, bunch grass, seasonal lakes, dramatic geologic formations and ethereal panoramas. Antelope and elk have habitat there. Large flocks of migratory birds, including the sand hill crane and Canadian goose, stop there during migratory flights. Rainbow trout inhabit the rivers and there are the typical desert settings with lizards and sagebrush. Other unique natural features of the state include the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Crater Lake, and the Oregon Caves. The environmental quality of the state is an important issue for most Oregon residents. The quality of air, land and water resources are important factors for maintaining livability. The topography of western Oregon particularly lends itself to air inversions and consequent air stagnation problems. Water quality is affected primarily by increasing urban development and wastewater discharge. Land disposal of solid waste has also created environmental problems due mainly again to increasing urban development. However, Oregon is working toward resolving these problems with its typical innovative ways. Air pollution is due mainly to automobile emissions. Therefore the state encourages the development of alternative modes of transportation. It provides revenue sharing to local governments for the development of bike paths. Water quality standards are strictly enforced. The state provides assistance to local governments to help them maintain the standards. A classic case of state initiative in water quality is the rehabilitation of the Willamette River in the 1970's. Also in the '70's the state enacted the "Bottle Bill", which places a redeemable value on beverage containers, thus encouraging recycling and discouraging roadside litter. Land use planning is state mandated for all jurisdictions in Oregon. The program is unique in the United States and offers many innovative measures of urban growth and resource conservation. The impetus behind statewide planning is livability. The state seeks to avoid the traditional conflicts between rural and urban activities and to promote orderly, efficient development. Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 3 MAP 1-1 Pacific Rim States Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 4 MAP 1-2 Grants Pass located within Oregon Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 5 MAP 1-3 Cultural Destinations in SW Oregon Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 6 1.40 LOCAL Grants Pass is the geographic center of southwest Oregon. The city lies along the Rogue River, midway between the river's headwaters near Crater Lake and the river's delta at the Pacific Ocean. The Rogue River Valley is famous for its pastoral beauty that is often highlighted by snow covered mountains and brilliant blue skies. The Klamath mountain ranges lie west of the Rogue River Valley and Grants Pass. The mountains provide protection from winds and rains. Therefore, Grants Pass has less precipitation than most cities in western Oregon with an average of 25 inches per year. Also, due to the elevation of the city at 900 feet above sea level and the mountain protection, the city has a higher number of solar degree days than other cities in western Oregon. The central location of Grants Pass places it near many recreational and cultural destinations in southwest Oregon shown in Table 1-1. See also Map 1-3. TABLE 1-1 Time Intervals from Grants Pass to Recreation Destinations Recreational Destination Driving Time in Hours Klamath Forest National Wildlife Refuge 3 Mountain Lakes Wilderness Area 2 Pacific Ocean 2 Crater Lake National Park 2 Oregon Caves National Monument 1 Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area 1 Ashland Shakespearian Festival 1 Mount Ashland Ski Area 1 Wild and Scenic Rogue River ½ Rogue River National Forest ½ The nearness of Grants Pass to so many unique recreational areas enhances the livability of the city. Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 7 The City's location in southwest Oregon also has regional importance. Interstate commerce among the Pacific Rim States is predominantly dependent on motor freight transportation of goods along the Interstate Highway. Grants Pass is located at a nexus of interstate transportation, see Map 1-4. Interstate 5 carries motor freight from Los Angeles to Seattle and to all points in between. Grants Pass is situated at a convenient point along the Interstate route. The major commercial and industrial market areas of the Pacific Rim States are within 15 hours of Grants Pass along Interstate 5. See Table 1-2. TABLE 1-2 Distance to Major Market Areas from Grants Pass Market Area Mileage from Grants Pass Approximate Time in Hours* Los Angeles, CA 722 14.4 San Francisco, CA 426 8.5 Portland, OR 246 4.9 Seattle, WA 421 8.4 Vancouver, BC 548 11.0 Spokane, WA 611 12.0 *Averaging 50 m.p.h. Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 8 MAP 1-4 Interstate 5 Grants Pass & Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Plan Last Revision: 12/15/1982 Page 1 - 9 1.50 LOCATION ELEMENT FINDINGS Regional 1. The western states that border the Pacific Ocean are known as the Pacific Rim States which include California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. 2. Grants Pass is located in southwest Oregon. 3. All of the Pacific Rim States, except Alaska, have similar geography; all states have coastal shorelands, inland valleys, a central mountain range and an eastern desert. 4. Recreational opportunities are plentiful. The arid deserts, snow covered mountains, green valleys and blue ocean are all within reach of residents of the Pacific Rim States. State 5. The City of Grants Pass is located in the southwest quarter of the state of Oregon. 6. Oregon is a progressive state in the areas of recreation, environmental quality and land use planning. 7. The recreational opportunities in the state are plentiful and unique. The entire Oregon coastline is accessible to the public.