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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.
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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.
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