Notwithstanding a resolution signed by a prior commission to support tribal management of the Coos Bay Wagon Road lands the proposal to share CBWR timber harvest proceeds between the Coquille Tribe and the county is already identical to the deal the county currently holds with the BLM. (Technically the county could receive 75% of the revenue but opted to allow 25% for replanting, etc…)
Previously, Main supported the tribal proposal claiming that the BLM is not cutting enough timber to generate any revenue for the county, however, records indicate that the BLM has met 150% of its harvest target, or ASQ, over the last few years through a program of thinning while still complying with all environmental and endangered species requirements. According to CBWR historian Don Gurney the county could earn $1 million annually and is likely owed some money. Randy Sanne has proven that the county is only $500K shy of a balanced budget before revenue from CBWR or the 3% property tax increase. So the importance of working with the tribe appears to have more to do with circumventing NEPA and ESA and ignoring the spotted owl recovery plan which the tribe has publicly admitted they will not follow to let a few operators get their hands on some old growth.
The county believed it had no chance of taking over management of these lands without partnering with the tribe but now that a bill to turn over management directly to the county has been proposed in Congress doing business with the tribe may cost the county money. According to Main, the county manages its own forests at an administrative costs of 10% so partnering with the tribe would cost the county an additional 40% of harvest revenues. Partnering with the tribe distributes almost half the revenue to a tribal population of less than 1,000 while the balance is effectively distributed to the rest of the 63,000 county residents including tribal members living in Coos County.
Sending emails, placing calls and sending letters as well as attending meetings and even holding protests would be more effective than paying up to $60K for a non-binding advisory vote. Finally, the bill as written is not likely to pass and all of this will be moot anyway.
It has always been curious that the timber industry responds to low timber prices by cutting more timber and further flooding the market… go figure. As for the CBWR lands the lack of a well thought out business plan is inherent in the huge discrepancy between projected revenues. $7 to $17 million annually, give or take $10 million or so!
It was definitely a “renege.” It was also a terrible proposal for all the citizens in Coos County, and a very good one for the tribe. That is, it would be a good deal for the tribe if someone could explain cutting timber at historically low prices, in a historically low housing market is a good deal. Does someone know something? Just optimists? And why in the world would the tribe came out and say they would even ignore what is law for everyone else is a bit beyond me too. Boy, I bet that had someone wetting his pants in excitement. I believe anthropologists will tell you that every single indigenous people always exploits the environment to their fullest ability. That would make them Republicans.
OK, even being Republican doesn’t automatically count one out on making a deal. Figure out something where the slice of the pie is tiny when unprocessed natural resource is shipped and a very attractive slice when shipped as finished branded sustainable product. I’m sure someone can be creative. We have a spit and railroad that needs to be working for all citizens, and finished products shipping out processed by local jobs. Something that will be sustainable and not driven by corporate yearly quarters.
We need to leave a very tasty slice for the citizens of whole county. We need to reach out to every town and help address their needs and wants. Can anyone think of one that is flush with funds to deal with all the minor stuff that comes up like schools, water and sewer, and roads? We need to engage everyone. We need to develop futures here if we want to give young people a place to live, and have a life.
I understand that this advisory vote can be placed in the up-coming May election ballot at a fraction of the cost that it would cost for the November ballot. It takes two out of three of the commissioners to agree. Which is not happening. What did happen when one of the Commissioner was ill and unable to attend a meeting the other two appointed commissioners, made a motion and approved to put together all these committees. Creating a DISTRACTION.
Since my earlier post I have read part of today’s occasional daily downtown Coos Bay newspaper. As usual, fit to line a garbage can only. I learned that the Ko Kwell Tribe is unhappy because a county comissioner elected to represent a majority of the people is trying to do that – waffleing as he tries. I learned that the editor of the World paper is now a recognized expert on forest harvest and specifically the Wagon Road lands. I learned that we citizens of Coos County must tread lightly lest we offend the Ko Kwell Tribe by making business decisions that are in the interest of a majority of the Coos County citizens. Any change in thinking will apparently be considered to be a “renege” on a perceived promise. I learned that the private Coos County citizen advocating an advisory vote will be causing “racial animosity”. What’s that you say Clark? It’s a race thing now. I learned that we should “elect smart county commissioners”; implying that Robert Bob Main is a dummy. Clark, the citizens already took a vote before you arrived. The vote was hell no to teaming with the Ko Kwell.You may owe something to the Tribe. I don’t. They already enjoy much that the average Coos County citizen does not.
Waffle! Try full Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast. Robert Bob is all over the place. There is little doubt that he won’t be reelected but he will survive to a runoff with Sanne. I’ve heard that your tax dollars will soon be spent by SCDC and others to help get their guys elected – Bishop, Messerle. How will the tribe lawyer vote if elected? How about Robert Bobs proposed hotel bed tax that will just cause people to stay at the Tribe Hotel that will not have a tax?