Oregon May Get Rajneesh Compound

The Montana millionaire who owns the property formerly known as Rancho Rajneesh might donate the compound to Oregon if the state comes up with an acceptable plan for its use.

State officials in the last month have toured the 64,229-acre parcel, now known as Big Muddy, to consider its possibilities.

“You go out there and look at it and think, this would be a great place for - what?” said Bill Nickleberry, lands manager for the state Department of Administrative Services.

Montana businessman Dennis Washington has offered to donate the land to Oregon, as long as the state guarantees it can pay for any plan its comes up with, according to Russ Ritter, a spokesman for Washington’s businesses.