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FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2003

"Sen. Gordon Smith recently introduced legislation to transfer more than 62,000 acres of Siuslaw National Forest land to the 700 members of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw.

The proposal would transfer these national forest lands from the U.S. Forest Service to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The BIA’s malfeasance is so egregious that the secretary of the interior is in contempt of court for her agency’s lack of fiscal responsibility. As the trustee for the Coquille Tribe, the BIA illegally clearcut ancient forests in Southern Oregon, degrading vital salmon habitat.

As the BIA has been such a poor steward of both native peoples’ money and land, giving this agency responsibility for more than another 62,000 acres of public land is an untenable gamble with precious public lands owned by and managed for all Americans."

Get the Story:
Jim Conley: Tribal land transfer is risky (The Salem Statesman Journal 5/9)

Relevant Links:
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians - http://www.ctclusi.org

Related Stories:
Ore. says tribal land not acquired for gaming (5/8)
Ore. tribe seeks restored land base and casino (04/01)