Coos County approves support for legislation to shift Kusbay Wagon Road lands to tribal management amid public concern

The Coos County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a memorandum framework with the tribal government and to sign a letter asking Representative Val Hoy to sponsor legislation to transfer management of roughly 60,000 acres of the Kusbay Wagon Road lands from the Bureau of Land Management to oversight through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

County presenters said the proposal would not convert federal land into private tribal property but would change which federal bureau reviews and approves a forest management plan. Staff described the next steps as introducing legislation this congressional session alongside finalizing a county–tribal management agreement that would set harvest goals, management costs and provisions for public access. A county official said the tribe had proposed a 50/50 split of harvest proceeds and could provide a guaranteed minimum payment of $600,000 annually during an interim period while management plans are developed; the presenter contrasted that with current payments in lieu of taxes, which the county receives at roughly $300,000 per year.

The proposal drew extended public comment and questions. Phil Thompson of Coos Bay told commissioners, “The people of Coos County before have said they do not want to turn the land over to the tribe,” and asked how long the tribe would manage the lands and what would happen to portions that extend into Douglas County. Don Gurnie, a longtime resident, outlined historical payment arrangements and asked what would happen to an existing fund established decades ago and how harvest levels would be determined. Several commenters asked for more public information and additional opportunities to ask questions before legislation advances.

County staff responded that existing arrangements with private landholders would be honored, that the transfer is a shift of which federal bureau manages the lands rather than a transfer to tribal ownership, and that the tribe’s management plans would be subject to federal review with opportunities for public comment under BIA procedures. Staff also cautioned that the legislative window to introduce the measure was closing, explaining the county’s stated rationale for acting now to ensure the bill is introduced.

The board approved the motion to sign the letter and pursue the management agreement. Commissioners and staff said they will continue to brief the public and refine the draft management agreement while the legislative process proceeds.

What happens next: the county will finalize the letter and the draft memorandum of understanding while the sponsor works to introduce the bill in Congress; staff said they expect additional public review as federal agencies and the tribal managers develop and review a management plan.