Tribes see future with pact - Leaders say water agreement could bring stability 

By TY BEAVER

H&N Staff Writer

January 20, 2008

   In 1918, the Klamath Tribes’ timber harvesting activities picked up steam, and with the sales came financial stability and self-sufficiency. 

   Until 1960, when lands were sold as a result of termination, the Tribes were prosperous and contributed to the local economy, tribal council member Will Hatcher said. 

   Now, the Tribes see a chance be financially stable and prosperous again. 

   Support of the Klamath Tribes’ efforts to acquire the Mazama Tree Farm, a 90,000 -acre piece of property in central Klamath County worth about $ 30 million, is in the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. 

   The agreement — forged by 26 stakeholders over a period of 2-1/2 years — allocates water along the Klamath River Basin and advocates removal of four dams to historic salmon runs. 

The land would be used for sustainable timber harvest

   The land deal is part of the document.

   Opponents criticized the deal, saying any land exchange should be conducted openly and taxpayer dollars should not be used for a tribal land purchase.

   Tribal leaders and proponents of the water settlement agreement say the property could help restore the Tribes’ stability and contribute to economic development for the Tribes and Klamath County .

   “For some of them, maybe all it’s going to take is time to show them there are no boogeymen out there,’ Hatcher said.

   If the agreement is implemented, the Tribes would receive about $20 million, or two thirds, of the purchase price from the federal government.  The Tribes would bay the rest.

   Use of Property

   Much of the property would be used for sustainable timber harvesting.  The Tribes are considering reopening the Crater Mill, which would create lumber jobs for tribal and non-tribal  county residents.  A biomass plant also is being considered.

   Hatcher said purchase of the property would allow the Tribes to participate in the Tribal Forest Protection Act.  The federal legislation allows the U.S. Forest Service to contract with tribes to conduct forest management on public lands, reducing fuels and providing jobs.

   Criticism

   But others have criticized the arrangement.  Edward Bartell, president of the Klamath Off-Project Water Users, said any land deal with the Tribes should have been conducted more openly and not behind the closed doors of settlement talks.

   Bartell has called for rejection of the full agreement, saying it doesn’t help irrigators.

   Tribal council member Jeff Mitchell responded to Bartell’s comments at a Thursday meeting, saying the deal was appropriate because it does not involve public lands.  He added the purchase would benefit the whole county and not just the Tribes.

   Others have criticized the use of taxpayer dollars to fund the purchase and are concerned about access to interior pieces of property.

   “There’s a large constituency out here who are not happy about this agreement,” said Chiloquin resident Judy Crisswell.

   Meetings planned

   Tribal leaders said they will arrange meetings with those who have interests in private property within the parcel, as well as adjacent landowners, if and when land purchase is more certain.  Some residents have already started a dialogue with the Tribes.

   Steve Kandra, a Merrill farmer and board member of the Klamath Water Users Association, owns one of the private parcels within the tree farm.  While formal discussions haven’t begun, Kandra said informal discussions have been civil and amiable.

   Tribal leaders said they want people to thoroughly understand the document, and they would be willing to address people’s concerns.  The agreement would allow all communities, tribal and non-tribal, to continue to forge new, stronger relationships, they said.

   “They found a middle ground that I think provided more than a little something for everybody,” said tribal chairman Joe Kirk.

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