BROOKINGS, ORE– County Commissioners representing the Association of O&C Counties (AOCC) attended a meeting on July 16 with Congressman Greg Walden and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke during his visit to southern Oregon.
“Board members shared their situations relative to the loss of O&C timber revenue and the resulting impacts on their ability to keep basic services at acceptable levels,” said Douglas County Commissioner and AOCC President Tim Freeman. “The inclusion of over 40,000 acres of O&C lands in an expansion of the Cascade Siskiyou monument was also discussed in some detail.”
“Commissioners pointed out that prior to the designation by President Obama, the Counties were basically left out of discussions that were occurring with both of Oregon’s US Senators, and the Governor,” Freeman said. “Impacts at the local level were ignored.”
Attending the meeting was Freeman, Josephine County Commissioner and AOCC Vice President Simon Hare, Polk County Commissioner and AOCC Secretary/Treasurer Craig Pope, Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris, and Jackson County Commissioner Colleen Roberts.
According to Freeman, Secretary Zinke said his recommendations regarding all 27 monuments under consideration will be announced on August 24th.