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Show Bulloch's Cows Released After Salina Auction Is Called Off SALINA Mary Bulloch's cows were headed back to Kanab at 4:30 Tuesday afternoon after a uncertain day at the Producers Livestock Market in Salina where the Bureau of Land Management had advertised them to be sold at - public auction that day. The sale, however, failed to take place and, by late afternoon, Utah Brand Inspector Shyrell Baker of Salina was helping to load them onto a semi-truck for transport to Kanab. The semi had earlier in the day brought a load of cattle from Kanab to Salina for auction and was barely headed back when Bulloch contacted the driver and asked him to transport her 41 head of cattle which had just been released to her. They included two bulls, cows and calves. A spokesperson in the group supporting Bulloch said that telephone tele-phone calls from cattle ranchers to the auction manager had threatened to withdraw future business if the sale proceeded. Other livestocck auction sites reported similar calls. "I don't think there is an auction in Utah that will accept those cows for sale," he said. The cattle had been impounded by the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument under BLM management on Oct. 19 and trucked to an Aurora feedlot on Oct. 20. The BLM advertised that they would be sold at public auction on Nov. 7 Owner Mary Bulloch had claimed that the BLM had earlier ignored her official appeal of the BLM's directive to remove her cattle before their regular date for removal and likewise failed to respond to additional documents she had served them. The BLM claimed Bulloch's cows were in trespass beyond that date and followed through on its threat to impound them. "Cattle rustlers!" claimed Bulloch Bull-och who said her cows were stolen and transported illegally without a state-required brand inspection or permit. In transporting the cattle to Aurora, the BLM had bypassed Kanab where a deputy sheriff and a brand inspector were waiting. More than one cattle rancher in this rural area shouted "Foul" when they learned of the illegal transport. State brand inspectors claim that GSENM Manager Kate Cannon was warned not to transport the impounded cattle without an inspection. inspec-tion. When asked if it were true, she referred questioners to Federal Attorney Karlee Christensen who is out of her office for the week. Bulloch was supported by a group of about 15 ranchers, some of whom had traveled from Nevada where they had encountered similar threats of impoundment by the BLM. Cliven Bundy of Bunkerville, Nev., a fourth generation rancher who runs cattle in Clark County, Nev., said the BLM no longer acts in the best interest of permittees who pay fees to run their cattle. He said 83 percent of fees are supposed to be returned to land improvements. improve-ments. " No longer does the BLM provide services in a spirit of cooperation as in the past, but the agency has evolved to being managers, then to being landlords, then to lawmakers, then judge and jury and now wants policing powers," said Bundy. (See CATTLE on Page 5-A) CATTLE From Front Page Bundy said he has been able to resist BLM encroachment on his rights while many of his fellow ranchers "have been beaten down by the BLM's heavy hand. I have a sheriff who understands my rights . and who stands up for me and helps me protect them." Bundy said the key to withstanding with-standing unlawful actions of the BLM is a county sheriff who understands under-stands that he is the principal authority in the county under oath to protect property rights and who has the courage to exercise that authority. "If the county sheriff says no and the brand inspector doesn't participate, the feds won't make a move," said Bundy. . ... Bundy says he continues to run his cattle near the Virgin River while other ranchers have been impacted by desert tortoise habitat claims that have run them out. Of Bulloch, Bundy said, "They're trying to ruin her ranch, eliminate her rights, and they've acted without any court orders. They've ignored her appeal and her legal documents. When they issued a "Full Forte and Effect" prior to impounding her cattle, she was entitled to a series of appeals. Instead, the BLM simply bypassed the law and stole her cattle." Representatives of the Utah . . Cattlemens Association and the-Utah the-Utah Farm Bureau met Monday (See CATTLE on Page 7-A) CATTLE From Page 5-A with BLM Deputy Mate Director Bob Bennett and Kate Cannon's deputy, Chris Killingsworth at which the principal question to the BLM was "What federal law allows the U.S. attorney to order the movement of cattle in violation of state nrand inspection law." Brent Tanner, executive . vice president of the Utah Cattlemens Association, "We recognize that there are laws the BLM must abide by in managing Public Lands but the monument is not a little pasture." pas-ture." "The Utah Farm Bureau is deeply concerned," said Executive Director Booth Wallentine on Tuesday, "about any potential precedent that this claim by the federal attorney that federal rules supersede state brand inspection laws has not only for the entire west but particularly for Utah. "If federal claims of priority on brand inspection were upheld, what would this mean for state water law, state transportation law, etc.?" Wallentine asked. "The U.S. Supreme Court has on several occasions upheld the superiority of state water law, law enforcement regarding transportation, and many other state laws." Kate Cannon said at 4 p.m. on Tuesday that there were no representatives from the BLM at the auction site in Salina. "We knew yesterday that the cattle would not be auctioned today. The auctioneer said he didn't want to get involved, that he would rather not." She said at 4 p.m. that they the BLM would be moving the cows soon to a location not yet finalized. "We have coordinated with the state, they'll give us permits to transport to be in compliance with state law," she said. However, even as she spoke, Bulloch's cattle were being loaded into a semi truck headed for Kanab. When the Garfield County News called her back about 30 minutes later to say that Bulloch's cows had been returned to her, Cannon replied, "I did not know." Asked if she had approved their release to Bulloch she responded, "No. I have not approved the release of Mary's cattle to her and since I don't know if they have been released to her, I can't comment." The release seemed genuinely to surprise both Cannon and a spokesperson at tthe federal attorney's office in Salt Lake City who also denied any knowledge ofthe release. Brand inspector Shyrell Baker said he helped to load 41 head of cattle, counting calves, into the semi after Sheriff Phil Barney opted not to intervene. Barney had been in discussion with Bulloch's attorney and had also brought in the Sevier County attorney for advice who also elected not to become involved. The 15 to 20 supporters of Bulloch were determined and assertive but not threatening according to bystanders. "I knew a confrontation was coming," said Sevier County Sheriff Phil Barney after hours controversy. "I couldn't see it happening over 40 cows." Barney had sought the advice of the Sevier County attorney who, Barney said, concurred. "I have no desire to have a conflict with the federal government," Barney said. 'I simply felt I had to do what had to be done." |
