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Natural Resources highlights division changes
By Tracy Dugan
The March General Council meeting featured reports
from the Natural Resources Division Manager Cliff
Adams, and a Spirit Mountain Casino update by tribal at
torney Michael Mason. Cliffs report focused on the con
struction process of the new Natural Resources facilities
and offices, and he spoke about the division's accomplish
ments in 1 996, as well as plans for this year.
There will be three timber sales in 1997. In 1996, the
Tribe sold and harvested the Running Bear and Remix Sal
vage sales, and reforested 1 10 acres on the reservation trust
land. One permit salvage sale, Windy Cross, was sold in
1996. A total of3,999 million board feet was sold in 1996.
The road projects on the reservation included mechani
cally brushing more than 25 miles of forest road, and 5.8
miles of road on the reservation was graded. Additionally,
the Federal Highway Administration repaired the section
of Agency Creek Road that was damaged during the winter
storms of 1996. The Natural Resources Division cleaned
and opened clogged culverts throughout the reservation
lands.
In the department of Forest Protection, a fire plan was
developed in 1996, and additional fire supply equipment
was purchased. Although no fires were reported on or near
the reservation last summer, the seasonal fire crew re
sponded to a number of forest fires in various locations
throughout the west. Several staff also attended fire train
ing courses last year. The Tribe has three fire trucks, (two
of which are certified by the U.S. Forest Service) and the
crew is prepared for any fires that might occur after the
rainy season, Cliff said.
Although there has been no reported incidents of illegal
trespass on the reservation, the division continues to have
problems with people wishing to camp indefinitely, which
has presented problems for the Tribe's patrol officer and
the county sheriff.
The division's seasonal crew has been busy with forest
maintenance projects all year long, which have included
the budcapping of seedlings and putting up wire protection
for 35 acres of new seedlings they planted to deter the elk
and deer from feeding on them.
The forestry crew has also been busy with prescribe and
slash burns, as well the pruning and pre-commercial thin
ning of trees. The division employed six youth and one
youth crew leader for eight weeks last summer, and will
continue the program again this year. The youth worked
on hiking trails, road and stream side plantings, and day
use park construction. The day use park has been open for
well over a year now, and the Natural Resources Division
would like to remind all tribal members that the park is
available for us to use and enjoy. The park is equipped
with hikingwalking trails, picnic areas, and ample park
ing. No overnight camping is allowed.
Some of the Fish and Wildlife department's accomplish
ments in 1996 include gathering population information on
the deer and elk to determine how many are living on reser
vation land. The department has had trouble with other
wildlife in recent months, such as a population of beaver
whose dams are blocking river flow. Fish and Wildlife also
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The new Natural Resources Division offices are scheduled for completion this summer.
completed stream habitat surveys for over 20 miles of
streams and conducted fish inventory and population sur
veys for Agency and Yoncalla creeks. Other duties of Fish
and Wildlife are distributing hunting and fishing licenses
and tags, conducting hunter safety courses, and adminis
tering the salmon subsistence distribution program for tribal
members.
Environmental Protection is another department included
within the Natural Resources Division. This department's
specialist wrote environmental assessments for the Health
Clinic and Manufactured Home Park the Tribe is building,
as well as coordinated and administered the Tribe's recy
cling program and recycling team. Other projects include
developing a nature walk, assisting in grant proposals, and
monitoring and identifying protectedendangered resources
on the reservation.
Finally, the Land Acquisition Department is exploring
the possibility of acquiring lands near the reservation and
also trading with private timber owners.
In addition to Cliffs report, Michael Mason reported to
the membership on the Tribe's gaming compact. Michael
said that as a result of the new gaining compact the Tribe
has signed with the state, the Tribe no longer has to ask the
state for new games at the Casino, and the state will no
longer make the final decision on the hiring and licensing
of employees, although Oregon State Police will still be
working with the Gaming Commission. "Tribal Council
deserves all the credit for this huge breakthrough," said
Michael.
Also at the meeting, Margo Mcrcicr presented some en
rollment information. An announcement was made that
tribal member Pauline Johnson, one of our eldest members,
passed away in Warm Springs.
11a Dowd won the $100 door prize drawing, and Arlcne
Beck, Val Grout, and Suzic Mooncy each won $50.
The next General Council meeting will he held on
Sunday, April 6. Don't forget, Tribal Council nomina
tions will be held at the May General Council meeting.
Easter
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11 TTuniversity of Oregon Library
Received on: 03-19-97
Smoke signals
Saturday, March 29 at 10 a.m.
Tribal Pow-wow Grounds
Open to tribal and community members. I
All children, 10 years old and younger, are welcome to participate.