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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946

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Brookings, Oregon

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024

Historic Inter-Tribal Treaty Three Federally recognized California Tribal Nations sign treaty formalizing a collaboration to manage, protect, and restore the Yurok-Tolowa Dee-ni' Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area Three Federally recognized California Tribal Nations – Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People, and Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria – signed an inter-tribal treaty of stewardship and responsibility Friday, November 22, 2024, to collaborate on management, protection, and restoration of the Yurok-Tolowa Dee-ni' Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area (IMSA). The treaty follows last year’s declaration and creation of the IMSA by the three Tribal Nations, the ﬁrst-ever marine protected area designated by Tribal governments in the United States. The IMSA stretches from the Oregon-California border to just south of Trinidad in Humboldt County and directly helps the state of California to achieve its biodiversity and durable conservation goals by 2030. The IMSA is home to species

of high cultural value to the Tribal nations including mussels, seaweed, kelp, clams, abalone, surf and night smelts, salmon, candleﬁsh, green sturgeon, shorebirds and eels (or lamprey). In signing the treaty, the three Tribes agree to collaborate in efforts to protect a portion of their ancestral ocean and coastal territories, co-manage critical ecosystems, support cultural lifeways and economies, and address climate impacts. The IMSA aims to safeguard an area under threat by poor water quality, ocean acidiﬁcation, species and habitat loss, offshore development, and other climate crisis impacts affecting the health of their communities. “Together, we will endeavor to protect and restore the biodiversity, water quality, and natural habitats within the IMSA, ensuring the sustainability of our traditional practices and the Please see TREATY, Page 4

Brookings City Council:

Fire Chief Resigns, New Water Main Approved

A Conversation with Val Hoyle, The South Coast’s Congresswoman BY NATE SCHWARTZ News Editor

After another successful campaign for Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, Representative Val Hoyle will be looking to continue her work for the area. We caught up with her about her priorities, the impact of the new administration, and the Port of Coos Bay expansion. -----------------Q – What does it mean to have the South Coast’s support regardless of party afﬁliation? Why do you think you’ve maintained support in a red area?

thirty-three years,” said Watson. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served. It’s been a pleaBrookings Fire Chief Jim sure working for Brookings.” Watson informed the Brookings Watson stated that his retireCity Council board members that ment plan is to move to Medford, he tendered his resignation on Oregon where he has a second November 20th. His last date is home so that he could be closer tentatively scheduled for Decem- to his family. ber 31st of this year, but he has “I’ve been commuting for six agreed to remain on duty until years now,” said Watson. “My the city is able to find a suitable wife is in Medford where she replacement. runs a small business out of our “We’re going to start the hiring home. I’d like to help her out and process immediately,” said Watbe closer to my parents, who also son. “It’s the holiday season, so it live in Medford.” might take a little longer to find The council expressed their somebody.” appreciation to Chief Watson for The discussion led to the idea his service and dedication to the that Watson would probably be city and also noted that he will be with the department until the end missed. of January in order for the city to “We’re going to miss you and find the right candidate. thank you for your service,” said “We’re looking at all our Brookings Mayor Isaac Hodges. options,” said Watson. “There In other council news, the could be a promotion within our council voted unanimously to department, or we might have to approve the installation of a new find somebody else.” water main on Hillside Avenue. Watson began his career in Tidewater Contractors INC. was 1990 with the Wildland Firefight- awarded the contract to replace er Service, he then worked his the water line. The cost of restorway into becoming a firefighter. ing the water main is projected to He spent fifteen years volunteer- be $143,700. ing for the Brookings Fire DisIn addition to the Hillside trict before working his way up Avenue repair, a slide repair on to become fire chief, a position he Ridgeview Drive is also slated has held for the past twelve years. to be fixed in the near future. 5R “I’ve worked for the city for

BY LINDA LEE

Coastal Curry Pilot

INDEX

Excavation & Paving LLC was awarded the contract at a cost of $45,125. The council also voted unanimously to approve the purchase of eight picnic table canopies from Northwest Playground Equipment. The canopies will be for the Kidtown playground area and will cost approximately $48,048. Time frames for the completion of the pipeline replacement, slide repair and installation of the new canopies were not discussed. According to the meeting minutes, City Manager Rundel shared that he and Public Works and Development Services Director Tony Baron have been reviewing the System Development charge proposals. He and the mayor received approval from the Brookings-Harbor School District superintendent for a “My Local Government” program for third graders to teach them about local government. Lastly, the city adopted a new ordinance that would repeal all sections and references to benevolent meal services. The ordinance amends the Brookings Municipal Code Chapter 17 Land Development Code. This decision was reached out of an agreement with St. Timothy’s church.

Hoyle – “Well, other than having my children, being able to represent this district in Congress is my greatest honor. I didn’t come from a place where I was likely to be in Congress, and I feel a real responsibility and affinity for the South Coast as we fight to make sure that the South Coast can be that economic engine again. Where our kids can have opportunity at home, and not have to leave to find their way out in the world. “I spend a fair amount of time on the south coast, and ultimately, I think that it’s the most beautiful place on Earth. I know that sounds very schmaltzy but it’s how I feel.” -----------------Q- For the start of your term, what bills or house resolutions are you prioritizing, and what should South Coasters be paying attention to? Hoyle – “The first thing I want to do is make sure that we use the rest of this session (this would the 118th session of congress). That ends January 3rd, when we get sworn in to the next session of congress (the 119th). “And there’s still a lot to do. One is to make sure the Fix Our Forests Act, that was passed through the House to address wildfire prevention and wildfire fighting, comes back over before the end of the year with a permanent increase in wildland firefighting pay. That’s critical. Also, with funding for some of the things that we need to do to make sure there’s less things to burn in our forests. That may

be coming back with a lands package, which would be great because there’s potential for getting the mining withdrawal for the Smith River down in Curry County. That would be really important. “We also have a number of community projects that we would like funded. Infrastructure projects, things that are really important. Whether it’s a wildland firefighter training center or just helping out our commercial fishing industry. “Basically, I’m going to continue to focus on what I have focused on in the 119th [session]. Wildfire funding and prevention, support for our coastal regions, whether that’s commercial fishing, whether that’s infrastructure. Then, making sure that we protect workers and stand up for the values that Oregonians believe in” -----------------Q – To the opposite side of that coin if I may, how do you think that the oncoming administration will affect those big Oregonian issues? Things like conservation? Hoyle – “The new administration has made it very clear that they want to move away from investment in green energy and the push away from fossil fuels. We are on the forefront, right on the frontlines of the effects of climate change. With our hotter and drier conditions, with conditions in the ocean, it really shouldn’t be a partisan issue to think about protecting our environment and sustainability, especially if we do it in a way that balances jobs and the environment. These should Please see VAL HOYLE, Page 2

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Avenue, Unit 7, Brookings, OR 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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