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http://users.sisqtel.net/armstrng/opinion071108.htm
Congressional
representation on issues
July 11, 2008, Ridin Point, by Siskiyou
County Supervisor Marcia Armstrong
At a recent Board of Supervisor’s meeting,
Congressman Herger’s Field Representative Dave Muerer told us that
Herger "has not weighed in on dam removal in
Siskiyou
County." Muerer stated that he is
trying to "be deliberative and analyzing the requirements of
ESA and the agencies' power and authority."
Muerer did acknowledge that Herger recognized that "local
government has a critical voice and that he does not take lightly
the unanimous position of the Board."
I, for one, am very disappointed that the Congressman appears to
be sitting on the fence. That means that he is not fighting on our
behalf on this important issue. He is apparently reluctant to take
a stand to prevent the negative and potentially hazardous impacts
that dam removal would have on the human health, property,
fisheries, recreation and economy of
Siskiyou
County. You can call the
Congressman’s local office at
530-893-8363 or e-mail him at http://www.house.gov/herger/contact.shtml
Board members asked Muerer about several
issues. One concern was the climbing cost of fuel, (including
winter heating oil.) A recent USA Today article highlighted the
impact of gas prices on the frontier communities in my district
and how astronomical prices are seriously affecting the elderly
and low income people. The Board and
County
Superintendent of Schools Kermith
Walters talked about Congress’s failure to reauthorize the
Secure
Schools and Communities Act. This
resulted in an annual $9 million loss of revenue for local schools
and roads. The money backfilled Siskiyou
County for the loss of the 25 percent
share of federal timber receipts when harvest was curtailed under
the Northwest Forest Plan.
The Board also expressed concerns about
PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes.) The federal
and state governments pay no property taxes. (The state government
has ceased to pay any consideration at all to the Counties for the
loss if tax revenues of their lands.) The federal government pays
PILT. This is a formula based on the limited
value of federal lands in the early 1900s when the National
Forests were created. (As an example, in fiscal year 2005, the
federal payment to the County was $0.37 per acre. If these lands
were taxed they would return about $1.48 per acre to the County.)
Congress does not always appropriate the full amount of money to
pay for PILT. (The average is
60% of funding.)
Muerer indicated that Congressman Greg
Walden of
Oregon will be introducing a bill
entitled the Security and Energy for America Act that would
include the continuation of County payments, funding of
PILT and additional fuel heating assistance.
It also funds grants for alternative energy, (wave energy, solar,
wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower and cellulosic energy.) In
addition, it has a technology training component and funding for
offshore fisheries habitat enhancement. Muerer indicated that
Herger is looking for common ground in bills such ast the
SEA Act.
The Board of Supervisors indicated that
it would like to re-cement closer contact with the Congressman’s
office and communicate at Board meetings regularly with Mr. Muerer.
It was also brought to the Board’s attention that Herger’s web
page has opportunities for constituents to receive updates on a
variety of issues.
http://www.house.gov/herger/
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