Guide Stimulus

A group of Rogue River fishing guides say they lost thousands of dollars this summer because of muddy water triggered by Gold Ray Dam's demolition, and they want Jackson County to pay them for it.

About a dozen guides recently filed the required notices saying they intend to sue the county in state court should county officials fail to take a sliver of the $5 million federal stimulus grant used for dam removal and settle with them.

County officials maintain there is no legal foundation in Oregon for suing the county over purely economic damages related to natural-resource issues, with the county liable only for personal injury or property damage.

Jackson County Commissioner C.W. Smith was a bit more blunt.

"Long-term, they will have an economic benefit," Smith said. "Should we ask them in turn for a part of their additional benefits from their new river trips?

"They need to man-up," Smith said. "I'm sick and tired of people looking for deep pockets."

LINK (Via: Mail Tribune)