Letters, letters, letters

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To the Editor:

The more you look into the proposed land exchange that would trade away 690 acres of national forest land just south of Sisters, including one mile along Squaw Creek, for "cow-free" wilderness in the Steens, the more you learn.

Stephen Purchase, assistant director for field operations for the Oregon Division of State Lands, has confirmed my suspicions that other public lands may be on the trading block in this area.

There are 160 acres of state land in Section 20, Township 15 South, Range 10 East, just on the north boundary of the national forest lands proposed to be traded away and directly west of the 50 acres currently owned by Mr. Stroemple.

These lands are not, according to Mr. Purchase, located in Section 29 as apparently shown incorrectly on the 2000 Deschutes National Forest map.

And guess what, the Division of State Lands has been approached by Mr. Stroemple about his acquiring these state public lands in a possible exchange for private lands in the Steens Wilderness Area or other private lands.

So now, we may be up to losing public use of a total of 850 acres along Squaw Creek if these two exchanges are allowed.

For you non-farmers, that's about 1-1/3 square miles.

If you don't like the looks of this and want a full public hearing about trading public lands for the "public good," contact the following and do it quickly:

Rep. Greg Walden, 1404 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; [email protected]