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Oregon Governor Wants 'Swift Resolution' In Harney County

A small group of protesters demonstrated in front of the Oregon Capitol on Tuesday against federal land management policies in rural Oregon.
Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network
A small group of protesters demonstrated in front of the Oregon Capitol on Tuesday against federal land management policies in rural Oregon.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown said she wants a "swift resolution" to the situation in Harney County. That's where an armed group has taken over the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The occupation of the refuge began Saturday over federal management of public land. In a written statement issued Tuesday, the governor said her top priority is the safety of the people of Harney County and the City of Burns.

Many schools and government offices are closed this week and Brown wrote that she wants life to return to normal for Harney County residents. She also pointed out that the FBI is leading the response, but she said state police have enhanced their presence in the area.

The governor's office did not elaborate on what kind of swift resolution Brown is hoping for.

Full statement from Oregon Governor Kate Brown:

“Although the FBI is the lead agency responding to the situation, my top priority is the safety of the people of Harney County and the City of Burns. The Oregon State Police has enhanced its presence in the area, augmenting local and federal public safety resources and assisting with community outreach. I look for a swift resolution that allows Harney County life to return to normal.”

Copyright 2016 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.
Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.