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Charter review panel debates tribal trust land transfers, urges study and public outreach
Summary
Members and public commentators at a Charter Review Commission meeting raised jurisdiction, land‑use and tax concerns tied to Bureau of Indian Affairs trust transfers for the Jamestown Tribe, discussed a proposed study to assess impacts, and agreed to pursue outreach and a follow-up meeting.
Members of the Charter Review Commission discussed concerns about federal trust transfers of land to the Jamestown Tribe, the effect of those transfers on county jurisdiction and tax base, and a proposed amendment that would require a study of the impacts.
Public comment opened the discussion. Ed Bowen, identifying himself as a resident with a PO Box in Columba, said the jurisdictional question goes beyond taxation: "There's actually 4 of them, 4 levels, as determined by the Eisenhower report back in the early sixties," Bowen said, arguing the commission should consider constitutional and jurisdictional implications of transfers the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Department of the Interior process.
John Worthington of Sequim told the commission he had filed an objection to a land acquisition and said he remains concerned about the Jamestown Tribe's current location, safety and long-term land‑use planning: "I did file and have received notice…
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