Herald and News: Testimony about the resolution

Testimony about the resolution

Feb. 7, 2007

Klamath Falls Herald and News

The Klamath Basin Alliance asked county commissioners to approve a resolution opposing transfer or management of public lands to the Klamath Tribes.

Testimony for the resolution

Glenn Howard: Howard said he was concerned about what would happen to private landowners residing in the boundaries of any future reservation. He also was worried about access to hunting and fishing areas as well as water supplies if a sovereign nation were created in the county.

He also said that Klamath Basin Alliance is not targeting the Tribes and is opposed to any transfer of land to any private entity.

Clifton Smith: Smith wanted to know what would happen to his 200 acres on the Sprague River if the Tribes did recreate a reservation they once had.

"Why do an injustice to me to correct another wrong?" he said.

William Adams: Adams said he was concerned what effect on the county's economy would occur with the creation of a tribal reservation.

"We all saw what happened when the water was shut off," he said.

Jeff Woodwick: Woodwick spoke on behalf of the Klamath County Republican Central Committee at the hearing. While the resolution is worded harshly, the committee thinks the resolution should pass if concerns about a reservation are immediately relevant.

"If it's a rumor, it will be a relief and a tragic turn of events," he said.

Testimony against the resolution

Rod Clarke: Clarke said there have been misconceptions about the Tribes' past reservation and other historical information. He also told commissioners there is no land proposal from the Tribes at this time and any such proposal would require federal legislation and discussions about various concerns.

"It's time to have a rational discussion based on facts and not on finger pointing," he said.

Marnie Morrow: Morrow said she saw a presentation by the Klamath Basin Alliance at a Klamath County Republican Central Committee that encouraged prejudices that went beyond her experience.

"Many of the things said at that meeting were difficult to sit through," she said.

Dan Keppen: Keppen said he was opposed to the resolution as written, but the concerns it created need to be considered.

"I have folks on both sides of the issue I'm close with," he said.

Allen Foreman, Klamath Tribes chairman: Foreman said Klamath Basin Alliance appears to be afraid that the Tribes could be self-sufficient again and has used misinformation to frighten other county residents.

Nevertheless, Foreman said the group does represent a facet of the county that needs a place at the table when it comes to discussing any future land proposal for the Tribes.