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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 16, 2000 13 Norman Carroll One randhers story By Dixie Brunner My happiness comes from just being on the lanc said rancher Norm Carroll as he gazed over the scenic landscape north of Glendale. I grew up with it being a awe-inspiri- ng part of me. No one can question Norm Carrolls love for the land he calls home. He and his wife Barbara have raised their four children in Orderville. As a third generation Kane County rancher, his knowledge ofsouthern Utah as well as issues concerning it are substantial. His grandfather began purchasing private land in the largely-federall- y owned county years ago. His father followed in his footsteps even more aggressively. Norm carries on the legacy, currently owning over 16,000 private acres, much of it land north of Orderville. The Carroll family also hold numerous BLM grazing permits in Utah and on the Arizona Srip, to graze their 500 plus head of cattle. Norm Carroll has served two terms as Kane County Commissioner. His ability to work well with other people has been a big asset in the many years he has personally dealt with public land in issues. He is most circles for his logic and common sense. well-regard- ed Basic understanding Times have changed since Norms grandfather was ranching. For one thing, cows, land, and just about everything else cost a whole lot more. Water is still a precious and scarce commodity. nd of course, Federal land regulations and restrictions have changed dramatically. Carroll said theres misunderstanding concerning the concept of Federal versus Public land. Under the Homestead Act, people in the west were granted Federal land rights which other Americans werent to encourage land settlement. They were also given the benefit of grazing and mining to supplement the local economies. Carroll went on to explain thats why many people who had family settle the area, do feel they have more rights to the land. Those Federal rights have never been taken away, "said Carroll. Our last rights have eroded into privileges and permits. Stewardship Carroll has won numerous ranching and stewardship awards over the years, of which hes very humble. Ive just been fortunate to have been acquainted with a lot of people, said Carroll. There are plenty of other ranchers around here who have done just as much as me. Dike building, reseeding, tree cutting, grazing rotation and herd management, all are things that every rancher must do to keep his property both attractive and profitable. And taking care of the land just makes good sense, explains Carroll. While there may have been some instances of it has never been in the ranchers best interest to do so. It doesnt make sense to overgraze, said Carroll. Its the pounds you put across the scale that makes you the money. Id rather have fewer cattle which are fed better. The ranchers are pretty damn proud of this land, said Carroll. They certainly dont want to see it destroyed. Ranchers like to see the land look good, they want to see wildlife and all that. They are very good at conservation. The stewardship system over-grazin- g, v'- - V:. ' f worked well. You can see by just looking at this beauty, why it is that people from here dont want things to change. 'i V A , On the monument The Carroll family was taken by surprise by the designation of the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument, as most Kane County residents were. But Carroll's frustration lies not so much in the monument, but rather in the manner in which it Outgoing Kane County Commissioner Norm Carroll proudly surveys some was done. of his land from this mountain top. Photo by Dixie Brunner. They shouldnt be designating monuments without having the operational money up front, said Carroll, and without con- sidering economic impacts on the local communities." He said that he isnt sure what but havent ever worked the as they respect it. I think that OHV and 4x4 land. He said that he has shared his clubs should police their own, knowlege with one or two of said Carroll, same with poachthem. I learned a long time ago ers, people know whos doing not to be intimidated by them, what. long-terI happen to be lucky enough impacts the monu- said Carroll. ment designation will have on to have some of this land, said the county. Its not that we lost On public use Carroll gazing out over the red We Carroll. lost anything, said Having such large private sandstone spires. You really for economic anticipation gain. holdings near public lands, want it to be preserved; not Carroll has experienced some locked up but enjoyed and used BLM the difficulty with people who abuse with respect. If you really sit Working with Ive always gotten along with the land. He said that he wants back and look at it, you want to them, said Carroll of his many people to enjoy the land, as long take care of it. m years dealing with the Bu- reau of Land Management on ranching issues. I didnt always agree with them mind you, but I could ususally work things out. Ive never found them bad l . s, to work with. Carroll believes much of the local resentment and frustration toward the BLM comes from its having some people involved in decision making, who do not have knowlege of western state land manage- ment. Youre dealing now with land managers who havent grown up on the land, Norm Carroll owns over 16,00 acres of land, with much of it featuring beaut: iful vistas like this. Photo by Dixie Brunner. . . said Carroll. Theyve been educated on Carroll has built dikes such as the one pictured above hv Dixie Brunner. pmnmnmpntal for water catchment. Photo |