Robert Smith: “earlier this month I went to the Santiam Canyon community of Detroit. Along with my visit to Klamath Falls in May, it…”

“earlier this month I went to the Santiam Canyon community of Detroit. Along with my visit to Klamath Falls in May, it was probably one of the most emotional days I have had as a Senator. This beautiful community, located on one of Oregon's most popular recreational lakes, has been devastated by a combination of natural and man-made disasters. I stood next to one of the Detroit Lake marinas, which in past years had been the busiest spot on the lake, provided services to hundreds of boaters. I was amazed to see this marina was high and dry. Now there are only tree stumps and mud flats in the reservoir. Again, a result of both natural and man-made disasters. I hosted a town hall where 350 community residents, nearly the entire population of the City of Detroit, came to share their desperate concerns. I need to tell you what brought the community of Detroit, OR, to this point. Over 50 years ago, the town was forced by the Federal Government to move from its original location so that Detroit Dam & Reservoir could be built. The original city site was buried under several feet of water. Detroit was a hearty community of strong-willed men and women. Instead of giving up, they moved their community to higher ground, and they survived. Years later, the Federal Government again came to Detroit. Like a number of other timber dependent communities in Santiam Canyon, the timber supply from the surrounding Federal land was cut off and the mills were forced to close.”