Yes, I really do believe it and you're the one in for a shock. I believe this because I have read what the environmentalists have written. They desire to establish a 'green belt' around all major metropolitean areas and prohibit any form of development outside these areas confining the population to a small percentage of the land area. It's called "smart growth".
It appears that you've been mislead by their propaganda about preserving the rural areas from shopping malls, etc. Do some independent research and find out what their real objectives are. This is not about regulating growth, it is about prohibing all growth outside the urban areas.
Again, I believe growth in Oregon would be a good thing. Open it up to some semi-conductor folks...