The Department of the Interior has scheduled a hearing on the Klamath River fishing situation November 15 at Eureka, California, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Forrest Gerard announced today.
The purpose of the hearing is to receive and record the views of persons not eligible to exercise Indian fishing rights, and who are interested in the Indian fishery on the Klamath river system. It will be an information gathering meeting only.
The special fishing rights of area Indians, not subject to state regulation, has been a controversial issue. In August of this year, the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior issued regulations to protect the Indian fishing rights and to promote proper management of the fishery resource.
Assistant Secretary Gerard has indicated that these regulations will be reviewed and, perhaps, revised before next year's fishing season.
Representatives of Gerard's office and the Interior Solicitor's office will be at the Eureka session as observers only to hear the views expressed.
The hearing will be in the Eureka City Council Chambers, 6th and K Streets, at 10 a.m.
