Crook County natural resources plan put on hold
The Crook County Court decided Wednesday to put a proposed natural resources plan on hold until they can figure out the best option to give the community a stronger voice when it comes to decisions on public lands.
“We are disappointed that the county didn’t accept the people’s plan and move forward with it today,” said Jodie Fleck, chair of the Crook County Natural Resources Political Action Committee.
The plan was created by a group of community leaders and residents. The policy would invoke coordination and a federal mandate, which would require all state and federal agencies to work with local governments when it comes to public lands.
Crook County Judge Mike McCabe and Commissioner Ken Fahlgren announced on YouTube earlier that they would approve the natural resources plan.
“There are issues that other have brought to us in the last two weeks. It’s not really backtracking — it’s re=evaluating,” Fahlgren said.
Fahlgren told NewsChannel 21 not all 20,000 residents have had an opportunity to read and weigh in on the plan.
The county’s legal counsel advised the board to hold off on accepting the natural resource plan because the county could face a potential lawsuit from the federal government and environmental groups.
Wallowa and Baker counties have adopted similar plans and have not been sued by the federal government.
Commissioner Seth Crawford has been vocal about the plan and supports protecting public lands.
The debate on protecting Crook County public lands is just beginning.
“We the people are supposed to be the government,” Fleck said. “We’re the ones who are supposed to be in charge.”
If you would like to read the Crook County, Oregon, Natural Resource Plan
