PRINEVILLE, OR -- A portion of Big Summit Prairie is listed for sale, and the Forest Service is exploring an opportunity to purchase the ranch located in the middle of the Ochoco National Forest. 

Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford doesn't like the idea. "I am totally against the federal government purchasing more land in Crook County," He said last week. "I think we, as a county, should engage the Congressman and talk to them about what we can do to have a united front to stop the federal lands from expanding in our county."

Commissioner Brian Barney also has concerns about the potential for a USFS purchase, "My personal opinion on a county standpoint, is that there's tax revenue that's gone that we won't receive. I think there are other and better uses to that property; and it may not be agriculture." But, he noted, "The landowner has the right to sell his property, as anyone else has a right to do it. So, I think that's his right. I don't feel that it's up to me to come in and dictate who and what he can sell his property for." Crawford told Barney, "We're not saying somebody can't buy it. We're just saying that we don't think that the federal government should take it over."

Commissioner Susan Hermreck said, "I feel that we haven't had public input. And what my feelings are doesn't matter. It matters what the taxpayers' feelings are. So I would like to see more public input." She added, "I just think we're a little too premature, until we know what the bulk of our citizenry wants." Hermreck says she's talked to the USFS, "Forestry and their stakeholders are sitting back for a year. And my suggestion to them was: it needs to come out in written form, it needs to go out on social media, there needs to be public meetings."

KBND News talked with a representative from the Ochoco National Forest who says the Forest Service has not set a timeline has been set, talked to the seller, nor determined whether a purchase is feasible. If the USFS decides it's interested in moving forward, officials say it would hold multiple public meetings before a final decision is made. 

The more than 9,000-acre parcel is listed for $20 million.

Photo courtesy of Texas Ranch Sales LLC