Walden
said he spoke with officials
in the U.S. Department of
the Interior Friday morning
about the agreement.
He said he
supports the collaborative
efforts that created the
agreement, but time is
needed to answer questions
from those who were not at
the table for the whole
process.
"It's
going to take time and it
needs time," he said.
Walden
also said he is glad to see
Klamath County officials
planning for the potential
loss of $15 million to
general and road funds from
federal timber payments.
The
payments are part of the
Secure Rural Schools
and Communities Self
Determination Act. The
legislation provides
compensation to rural
counties who saw a cut in
timber production from
environmental regulations.
President George W.
Bush's proposed budget
includes a proposal to
extend the payments, though
Walden said he was unsure
for how long and at what
level.
Renewal is not certain.
He and other federal
lawmakers are looking for
ways to address the payments
and there isn't much money
available to do so.
"My level of optimism
is not high," he said.
