Jackson County leaders oppose monument expansion

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — The Jackson County Board of Commissioners is planning to send a letter to President Barack Obama voicing opposition for a proposed expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

The Mail Tribune reports (https://is.gd/vtlwiS ) that commissioners decided Tuesday to send the letter and a transcript of more than four hours of public testimony they heard last week about the expansion.

The testimony at the Medford meeting last week was evenly split, but when including written comments people opposed the expansion 2-to-1. Opponents say logging cutbacks on federal land in the monument will hurt counties.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and fellow Democratic Senator Ron Wyden have proposed doubling the size of the monument, which was created in 2000.

Commissioners say they are concerned Obama will expand the monument without public input through the 1906 Antiquities Act.

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Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/