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Show NOVEMBER 9,2006 •-- THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER BRYCE VALLEY AREA NEWS Page 8 COURT WRONG ON GRAZING RULING By Randy Parker, CEO, Utah Farm Bureau . Recently, the U.S. District Court existence and scope of 2477 roads. Like the 2004 flawed ruling, Judge ruled that Kane and Garfield Counties failed to prove economic harm from the Campbell has again ignored foundation Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) federal laws related to multiple-use of sale of grazing permits to the Grand the public lands. Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA) requires Canyon Trust. Agriculture, particularly cattle ranch- public land decisions to take into acing and forage production, continues to count socioeconomic impacts of govbe an important economic engine for the ernment decisions and the Taylor Grazregion. Any erosion of grazingrightsand ing Act that mandates that grazing associated private property values ad- rights be allocated to legitimate ranchversely impacts the ability of these rural ing interests. Grand Canyon Trust had no base property, no water rights and counties to generate a tax base. didn't even own a cow. Common sense says the reduction, Gifford Pinchot, one of America's relinquishment or retirement of federal great conservationists and first head of livestock grazing rights adversely imthe U.S. Forest Service under Teddy pacts property values and tax base, and ultimately the county's ability to fund Roosevelt said that the nation's recritical governmental services. These sources should be used for "the greattwo counties must operate with around est good to the greatest number for the 90 percent of their land base owned by longest time." That's what generations of public lands grazing have accomgovernment. plished. Not locking it up for non-use. When Kane, Garfield and San Juan We all should applaud the integrity Counties exercised their valid claims meof these rural elected county officials chanically maintaining 16 Revised Statfor taking on the daunting task of holdute 2477 roads, Southern Utah Wildering government agencies and the courts ness Society and Sierra Club sued. Judge accountable under the law. Tena Campbell ruled against the counties and gave BLM authority to deterIt's ludicrous for this judge to sugmine critical legal definitions under fed- gest these counties failed to prove ecoeral law related to the establishment, nomic harm. It seems the courts today scope and maintenance of congression- are willing confer standing to environally grandfathered highways. mental groups on almost any frivolous grounds. Legacy Highway is a good exSome called the 2477 ruling 'reasonample that cost Utah taxpayers more able' and said the Campbell's decision "should make rural county officials stop than $300 million. and think before asserting theirrightsby We elect our representatives and ignbring the law" chiding the rural offi- senators to legislate, not the courts cials for seeking ownership of these "boSome are questioning the gus roads." legislature's commitment in this legal Siding with the rural counties, the battle. All Utahns are hurt by arrogant, 10th Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed deep pocketed, radical groups like and reversed Campbell finding that state SUWA, Sierra Club when they want to law properly guides interpretation of the use the courts to impose their views and values on a particular segment of our population - in this case the rural communities of southern Utah. They have SEE TOUH LOVED DUES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON viciously boasted they have the financial means and determination to use the courts to win - If not based on the law, then through attrition. IK ANT OF DUB FASHIONABLE EYEWEAB Our Utah farm and ranch families » A*V K\e\n,Vera Wang, BCBc <~» . are not wealthy. Alone, they cannot withstand the never ending court challenges and grazing buy-outs funded by the corporate contributors like WalMart, nor the New 'Yorkers and Californians who aren't trying to make" a living in rural Utah.. The biggest threat to our ranching way of life would be a callous indifferC I.. 1 M I C O I* T f ence by the general public to the challenges farmers and ranchers face as ...by Vicki D. Syrett 679-8687 or vickidiane36@hotmaii.com ' - Jared and Holly Lemke are the proud parents of an adorable little girl. They have named her Elizabeth Sue and she was born on the 27th of October. She is joined at home by two older brothers and her parents. Grandparents are Blaine and Shauna Anderson of Bryce Utah. Gread-grandma is Jean Syrett of Cedar City. Our Bryce Area Cubs Scouts have been busy. Congratulations to Ben Cloud, Chanten Dickinson, Zennon Hutchings, Tell Johnson, McCray Mangum, Hunter Mathews, and Levi Holm on earning their Bobcat awards. Landyn Brinkerhoff earned his Wolf and has advanced into the Bear Den. He will be missed in the Wolf Pack. The Bears now have a new Denner in Shan Thompson with Rozin Manning becoming the Assistant Denner. The Webelos welcomed Joshua AJvey, John Cloud and Andrew Kopfer into their den. Tanner Barton and ChandlyrTebbs both crossed over from Cub Scouts into the Boy Scouts. They also earned their Arrow STILL TIME TO GET OUTDOORS Now that some parts of Utah have received theirfirstgood snowfall, it might seem like a good time to retire indoors to thefireor the front of your television set. It's not quite time to pack up everything just yet, though. There are still plenty of outdoor activities out there for you to enjoy. For example, the fall hunting seasons are just getting started. Many upland game and waterfowl hunts start in September or October and then stretch into December or even February. Some upland game hunts, such as pheasant and quail, start in November along with the elk muzzleloader, cougar and bear seasons. Fall and early winter general season hunts in Utah include: Waterfowl • Ducks, Mergansers, Coots and Snipe: _Oct. 7 - Jan. 20 • Geese: most of Utah Oct. 28 - Jan. 28, Northern goose zone Oct. 7 - Jan. 20 Upland Game (The following are general season dates; please check the proclamation before you hunt as many upland game season dates vary depending on the region or county) • Pheasant: Nov. 4 - 1 9 - Chukar: Sept. 16 - Nov. 30 (Box Elder and Extended Season hunts run until Dec. 31 and Jan. 31) - Blue and Ruffed Grouse: Sept. 16 Nov. 30 •Quail: Nov. 4 - 1 9 • Rabbits and Hares: Sept 16 - Feb. 28 (Cottontail rabbit, Snowshoe hare) of Light Awards. Congratulations to all the busy cubs. Keep up the great work. We want to remind the Cub Leaders of Committee Meeting on the 12th of November at the Tropic Ward House. Art and Vicki Syrett spent a delightful week-end with David and Debbie Jensen. David is the son of the Syrett's. Vicki and Debbie attended the Andre' Rieu concert at the E Center and thoroughly enjoyed the music. He is so talented and his Strauss Orchesta is fun to watch. They have a great time performing and put on a wonderful show. This was a birthday gift for Debbie. Art and David went to the Jazz game as they didn't have any interest in the music concert. The Jazz played the Golden State Warriors and they WON. It was a very fun time for all. Earl and Jacque Slack spent time this last weekend helping son Daniel move and to get married. It was a special time for the Slack family. Well hunters, did you keep safe and get what you went out for? Haven'f heard too many reports so I hope that means you all stayed safe and sound. Hope everyone voted. Also Thanksgiving is coming and it is a time to show our gratitude for all the many things we enjoy in our lives. This beautiful land we live in and our freedoms are some of the things we should express thanks for. The freedom to worship as we wish and to show our love of our Father in Heaven. The freedom of speech so we can express our feelings with tact and courtesy and love. I am grateful for all of you who take time out of your busy schedules and report your news so that I can have something to write about, Have a great week and hope to hear from you. AND ENJOY BEING SEEN IL, L, E VISION HICHAHD LUEKENGA, 0 D & DAVID GRAF, 0.D 896-8142 or 800-789-2020 145 N o . 1OO East, Richfield • Gunnlson • BIcknel! they provide the safest, most abundant and most affordable food in the world today! |