County Invokes Federal Statutes to Have Input on Federal Land Policies

In a proactive effort to ensure Jackson County government has input on Federal land policies that affect local land, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners has passed Board Order #186-10. The order, signed by all three commissioners ? Dennis C.W. Smith, Jack Walker, and Dave Gilmour ? invokes Federal statutes including those governing the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service requiring coordination of decisions concerning the use of Federal lands with affected local governments.
Currently the Jackson County Natural Resources Advisory Committee, in consultation with County Counsel and the Development Services Department, is working to prepare a coordination plan that will protect and enhance Jackson County's economy while promoting the responsible employment of resources on and in the Federal Lands.
"This is an excellent opportunity in which Jackson County can have more practical, realistic input into policies that affect Federal lands," said Smith. "It is one more tool in an effort to make sure our local communities have as much input and influence in the decision making process on Federal lands, which are half of Jackson County's land base."
Language in the Board Order states: "The Jackson County Board of Commissioners is vitally interested in protecting and enhancing Jackson County's economy while promoting the responsible employment of resources on and in the Federal lands, and decisions concerning the Federal lands at the Federal level could have significant effects on the availability of those lands for responsible uses, thereby affecting Jackson County's economy."
Other counties which have taken this step to invoke Federal statutes to coordinate with local governments include Josephine County, Modoc County, and Wallowa County in Oregon, and Siskiyou County in California.
"By coordinating with Federal agencies, we have the legal standing to talk about what the impacts are to our communities when the Federal government makes decisions that impact our economy and job base. It also ensures that Federal policy is more cognizant of the local communities," said Smith.
Federal land policy impacts local issues such as the agricultural base with grazing laws, road construction and decommission, and forest natural resources and recreational usage.
Coordination with Federal agencies will involve Jackson County staff, County Counsel, and the Jackson County Natural Resources Advisory consulting in determining impacts of Federal decisions.
For more information, please contact Danny Jordan, Jackson County Administrator, at (541) 774-6003.cell spy mobile spy spy text messages Sources......