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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1988)
4 JJ 5 R o THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON AUCGIN INTRODUCES NEW RESERVATION BILL Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin introduced new legislation creating a reservation for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde on March 14, 1988. The AuCoin-Hatfield compromise bill calls for a 9,811 acre reservation; restricts, under an agreement with the tribe, exports and the purchase of timber for 20 years; and requires that a minimum of 30 percent of timber revenues go to economic development. Hatfield said he will introduce companion legislation ' once the House has passed the bill. The AuCoin-Hatfield package follows two bills they introduced last year, one creating a reservation of about 15,700 acres, the other about 5,100 acres. The bill redesignates as the reservation 9,811 acres of Oregon and California (O&C) County Grant Lands in Yamhill County. In turn, 12,035 acres of Public Domain lands, also managed by BLM , would be redesignated as O&C, representing an equal value exchange. Counties dependent on O&C timber revenues would not lose money under the exchange. "This compromise is the result of input from hundreds of Western Oregon citizens," AuCoin said. "It's something the entire Sheridan Willamina area should support, because we need self-sufficiency at every level of our community to ensure economic growth for all." AuCoin said the bill requires that at least 30 percent of the timber revenues go to a special fund used exclusively on economic development projects, to ensure revenues generated from the sale of timber help the tribe gain self-sufficiency. The Tribe will receive an estimated $700,000 to $1 million in timber revenues, depending on market prices. Hatfield said he wholeheartedly supports AuCoin's efforts on behalf of the Grand Ronde Tribe. "They have made a strong case for a reservation," Hatfield said, "and I look forward to shepherding this legislation through the Senate, following House approval." AuCoin said he heard several concerns from community leaders during the public meeting in Grand Ronde last August, including the effects on log supplies available to local mills and the prospect of constructing a tribal mill in an already competitive region. , To accommodate these concerns, the Tribe has agreed to restrict exports and bidding or purchasing timber from the reservation or adjacent public lands for 20 years. This agreement is given the full force and effect of law in the legislation. Tillamook County McMInnville x 1 v Yamhill county V Sheridan S X. a r. Vd 7i w W am na Grand RondeS x u uuicrri v I I 1 Yamhill County Polk County 10rr,fes PROPOSED GRAND RONDE INDIAN RESERVATION - 9,811 ACRES AuCoin stressed that creation of the reservation does not grant or restore any hunting, fishing or trapping rights. These rights were settled by a judicial consent decree issued in January, 1987, and are not changed if the tribe has a reservation. The AuCoin-Hatfield bill also protects valid existing rights, such as road rights of way, easements and permits and Bureau of Indian Affair's guidelines will be followed for closures. Tribal members and non-tribal members will be treated equally when access is restricted in emergency closure situations (due to fire hazzard or to protect equipment). AuCoin said he expects the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, chaired by Rep. Morris K. UdalL D-Ariz., to hold a hearing on the bill in early spring. "We are delighted the bill has been introduced and hope for successful passage in the House and Senate,", said Tribal Chairman, Mark Mercier. "The creation of our reservation will have lasting positive impacts for the Tribe and the surrounding communities. This legisla tion is the result of considerable effort and compromise over a long period of time. The Tribal Council, staff and community members have worked very hard for the introduction of this important legislation, and I would like to personally thank them all for their efforts." Establishing a reservation is the second step in a restoration plan which began in 1983 when the Grand Ronde's official status, as a tribe, was restored as a result of legislation passed by AuCoin and Hatfield. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Dear Tribal Members, Legislation required for the establishment of the Grand Ronde Reservation was introduced by Congressman Les AuCoin on March 14, 1988. The bill was referred to the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee for their review. The Committee will conduct a hearing on the Bill on April 12, 1988. Members of the Tribal Council will be required to present testimony to members of the Interior Committee during the hearing. The Tribal Council has decided to schedule April's General Council meeting for April 17th, 1988. The first Sunday, April 3rd, is Easter Sunday and many families like to get together for that day. On the second Sunday, April 10th, Council members will be departing for Washington D.C. They will be busy meeting with various administrative departments and members of the Oregon Congressional Delegation on April 11 & 12. Thus, the Council will be able to give the General Council a in-depth report on the reservation plan at the April 17th meeting. Once the Reservation Bill clears the Interior Commit tee, it will go back to the floor of the House of Repre sentatives for a final vote. Senator Hatfield has indi cated that once the bill clears the House, he will "shep herd" the bill through the Senate. ( Continued on next page)