Posted on Feb 8, 2023
Long-term rules limiting access to E. Oregon lake sought as worsening drought exposes Indigenous...
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Oregon state officials are considering changes to stop people from looting graves and cultural sites in a Lake County wetland desiccated by years of drought.
On Tuesday, the state Land Board took a step toward permanently closing public access to Crump Lake when water levels dry up. The lake and surrounding wetland has a 15,000-acre footprint in a sparsely populated stretch of Lake County, an area that has been inhabited by Indigenous people for more than 10,000 years.
Police and officials with the Burns Paiute Tribe and Klamath Tribes have long documented theft and vandalism at Crump Lake. In more recent years, extreme drought conditions have dried up parts of the lake bottom, exposing more relics and human remains to looters.
On Tuesday, the state Land Board took a step toward permanently closing public access to Crump Lake when water levels dry up. The lake and surrounding wetland has a 15,000-acre footprint in a sparsely populated stretch of Lake County, an area that has been inhabited by Indigenous people for more than 10,000 years.
Police and officials with the Burns Paiute Tribe and Klamath Tribes have long documented theft and vandalism at Crump Lake. In more recent years, extreme drought conditions have dried up parts of the lake bottom, exposing more relics and human remains to looters.
Long-term rules limiting access to E. Oregon lake sought as worsening drought exposes Indigenous...
Posted from opb.orgPosted in these groups: State of Oregon
Native Americans
Native Americans
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."It’s against state law to disturb burial sites, or alter archeological sites without a permit.
Oregon enacted temporary emergency closures to stop looting at Crump Lake in 2014, 2021 and again last summer. The latest closure restricted all public access until it expired last month. Now, the Department of State Lands is seeking permanent rules about how and when it will close the lake during low water levels.
Department Director Vicki Walker told the state Land Board it makes sense to permanently ban all recreation during closures."...
..."It’s against state law to disturb burial sites, or alter archeological sites without a permit.
Oregon enacted temporary emergency closures to stop looting at Crump Lake in 2014, 2021 and again last summer. The latest closure restricted all public access until it expired last month. Now, the Department of State Lands is seeking permanent rules about how and when it will close the lake during low water levels.
Department Director Vicki Walker told the state Land Board it makes sense to permanently ban all recreation during closures."...
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