SALEM - A measure aimed at banning large-scale development in the Metolius River Basin in Central Oregon was narrowly rejected Tuesday by the Oregon House.

Supporters of the bill, which fell a single vote short of passing, said the Metolius basin is a place of pristine beauty that deserves special protection by being designated an "area of critical statewide concern."

"The headwaters is a treasure created by God. It is something that is visited and loved by thousands," said Rep. Brian Clem, a Salem Democrat who led the debate in favor of the bill.

Opponents of the bill said the Legislature shouldn't intrude in local land use decisions by Jefferson County officials to make sites available for a pair of destination resorts in the area.

House Speaker Dave Hunt of Gladstone was one of five Democrats who joined with all of the House Republicans in opposing the legislation.

"My Ôno' vote was cast because I believe this bill usurps the land use process that Jefferson County adopted in approving these resorts," Hunt said after Tuesday's vote.

Republicans argued that the Legislature shouldn't stand in the way of something that would could create jobs in the hard-hit Jefferson County, where the unemployment rate has climbed to 16 percent.

"It destroys a legitimate economic strategy for a very poor rural county," said House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna of Roseburg.

The rejection of the bill was a defeat for Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who sought the new special designation for the Metolius basin after developers announced plans for two new destination resorts in the area.

The measure could be brought back up for reconsideration in the House today. If there aren't 31 votes to pass the bill, which was approved by the Senate last week, it would go to a joint House-Senate negotiating committee.

The measure is House Bill 3298.