'Open Fields' bill would pay farmers to open lands to public use

Agriculture Online News ^ | 11-9-2003 | unknown

[countrydummy]

'Open Fields' bill would pay farmers to open lands to public use

Do you think landowners should be able to receive public funds for letting hunters, bird-watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts use their land? Senators have introduced a bill that would fund state programs to do just that.

The "Open Fields" bill was introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), and is co-sponsored by Senators Byron Dorgan, Mark Dayton, Max Baucus, Mike Enzi, Tim Johnson, Tom Daschle, John Kerry and Tom Harkin. Harkin today called the bill a win-win for landowners and outdoor enthusiasts.

Open Fields, officially known as the Voluntary Public Access and Wildlife Habitat Program Act of 2003, would give states funding to create programs compensating private farm and ranch land owners and operators for voluntarily making land open to the public for outdoor activities. The bill would provide flexibility, allowing states to develop programs that fit their needs, the Senators say.

"The shortage of public land in Iowa impedes those who wish to enjoy the outdoors and limits possibilities for local economies as well," said Harkin. He pointed out the program could encourage more tourism in rural areas, giving a boost to rural economies.

Many rural landowners have operated under a system where a phone call or visit to a farmhouse for permission was sufficient to use someone's land, but that system may not work as well as it once did, Harkin says. "This program takes that a step further to compensate farm owners and operators for opening up more land for public use." 11/07/2003 08:57 a.m.CDT

[countrydummy]

The legislation is S.1840, the Voluntary Public Access and Wildlife Habitat Program Act . . . They're running everybody off 'pubic' land and turning it all into Wilderness. Now they want to make more state government agencies to run a program to pay farmers to let displaced outdoor enthusiasts use their land. And the minute you call private property "wildlife habitat" under a government program, you end up with urban "environmentalists" looking for endangered and threatened species (and let's not forget invasive species too) on private property. And what about inviting uneducated urban idiots on to your farm and ranch to complain about your farming practices? Your land use practices? And would this new program be voluntary? Or would it lead to something more sinister down the road? ~ Barb

[countrydummy]

This is so terrible! This is so not good!

[AngrySpud]

" ... hunters, birdwatchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts".

In other words ... litter, downed fences, and road ruts. The "win-win" includes a downside.

[countrydummy]

it really gives envirowackos an excuse to enter all private property and use their excuses to take land! This is scary as hell!

[countrydummy]

ping!

[org.whodat]

The "Open Fields" bill was introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), and is co-sponsored by Senators Byron Dorgan, Mark Dayton, Max Baucus, Mike Enzi, Tim Johnson, Tom Daschle, John Kerry and Tom Harkin. Harkin today called the bill a win-win for landowners and outdoor enthusiasts.

The next time you hear of of these clown's talk about the national debt, you can remember how full of S-it they are.

[countrydummy]

If this passes, it will affect every state in the union! This is another sound good kind of legislation that opens the door to the devil of socialism!

[Zeroisanumber]

We have a similar program in Minnesota which allows landowners to classify their land as a "tree farm". This entitles them to a signifigant property tax break in exchange for opening their land to the public (which generally amounts to a few dozen deer hunters) and allowing the DNR to have underbrush cleared from some parts of their land. The program seems to work fairly well.

[carenot]

Do you think landowners should be able to receive public funds for letting hunters, bird-watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts use their land? Senators have introduced a bill that would fund state programs to do just that.

The ranchers,farmers and just plain old land owners I know used to have a can on the gate. You put a quarter in it and went on in.

They did that because people came from Ft. Worth and Dallas and would trash their place.

Then they had to stop everyone. They had to take the gates out.

Then the the idiots started cutting the fence and going in anyway.

There could have been a few killings over that. The old folks don't put up with that.

[kittymyrib]

And if the city slickers get hurt while on your property, who is going to pay for the law suits? No thanks!

[countrydummy]

I understand, but think of the implications this will give enviro wacko nuts! This is the "invitation of the vampire to come in"!

This will affect/effect every state!

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

For real time political chat - Radio Free Republic chat room

[countrydummy]

I so agree!

[coloradan]

Bad idea! Hunters and bird watchers could ask for permission on private land, and if the owner says no, offer to pay a fee. If the owner still says no, that's the end of it. But if the owner says yes, then it's the same thing - except that the government is out of the picture. Why must the government enter its nose into everything? ( <---- Rhetorical question, I know.)

[hedgetrimmer]

What do we do about this one? My gosh its time we got organized and got rid of all the socialist politicians stealing our liberty!

Do we stoop to their tactics? Do we actively begin to demonize socialist and socialism so that our young people start to realize the trap we are falling into? It is time for the American people resist, recall and impeach.

[countrydummy]

this is why private property land owners are the best stewards of the land! I live just feet from the NPS owned lands, and I have to pick up dirty diapers, and worse cause people/the public are sick and twisted!

[NutmegDevil]

There's not much littering in birdwatching. Biking & butterfly watching, though, will fill fields/paths with much rubbish.

[countrydummy]

We must do something! We must stop this legislation and we must stop the idea that the public is invited to all lands!

Anyone that wants to hunt or fish on my property knows basic ettiquit(sp) and they call or knock on my door to ask....and I let them, but I also make them know the rules, leave it like you found it! Clean!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Yes I can see hunters and enviro-weenies getting along real well.

Can you see an ALF jumping in front of a trophy buck.

Bye-bye alf.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[BlazingArizona]

This is so terrible! This is so not good!

If this prohram is vluntary, why does state government have to get involved? Farmers can just as easily form an IGA-style marketing consortium to promote recreational use of their land by themselves. This could be an adjsunct to bed-and-breakfast operations in rural off-seasons. On a farm that is busy growing wheat from spring to fall, farmers could raise extra money promoting birding and hunting after harvest, and Nordic skiing in the winter.

[B Knotts]

shortage of public land

ROFL

So, according to these fine numbskulls, the fact that 75% of the west is owned by the federal government is only a problem in so far as the rest of the country is largely in private hands!

Amazing.

Breathtaking stupidity.

[meenie]

Interference by the government in private affairs. No thanks!

[hoosierham]

This is a semi-transparent attack on private property.

Ever notice the socialists KILL the opposition when the socialists win ? (probably because their ideas can't stand competition). Maybe it's time to execute the ALF/ELF terrorists who have caused death through arson. It is LONG past time that the environuts be made to pay money damages for destruction of private property.

By the way, this legislation is similar to the Rails into Trails laws which violated the original agreements of railroad land use-the land was supposed to revert to adjacent property owners if the rails ceased operation but the militant bicylists easily convinced liberal judges to ignore original intent.

[Amerigomag]

There is a reason private property is called private. It's a concept that escapes many, especially the victim and "less fortunte" classes.

California has a five year rule. If you don't make a prudent attempt to prevent trespass or by indiference, allow trespass for five years, you lose your right to object to further trespass. If the general public uses your land as public land for more than 5 years it becomes effectively public land.

I would judge those who cooperate with this law, if it passes, to be foolish.

[dennisw]

If this is a good idea then the states should do it, promote it themselves, instead of begging the Feds. Federal taxes are too high so the states are always trying to get some of that Washington pot o' gold.

[demkicker]

The "Open Fields" bill was introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), and is co-sponsored by Senators Byron Dorgan, Mark Dayton, Max Baucus, Mike Enzi, Tim Johnson, Tom Daschle, John Kerry and Tom Harkin.

We need to FReep congress big time about this horrible bill. Pat Roberts is an idiot. Thank God the intelligence committe is no more.... Geeze, I can't believe this!

[VetoBill]

While I do not know the California law regarding this, I do not believe this concept would fall under an adverse possession of property. For an adverse possession it must meet 4 areas.

1) Possession must be actual and exclusive- possessor must take sole physical occupancy of the property.
2) The possession must be open, visible and notorious- the possessor must occupy the land for all to see
3) Possession must be continuous and peaceable for the required time
4) Possession must be hostile and adverse- the possessor must claim the property against the whole world, he cannot be living on the property with the permission of the owner.

The owner would have granted the public permission to utilize his property by enrolling in this program, and violating element 4.

[El Gato]

How is this different from the so called "Kennedy Acres" or the various other conservation reserve set aside programs. Many of those required public access, at least for hunting in exhange for help improving the land. They would also have to leave some cover and a "neglected" grain crop, of some sort, which would not be harvested and then would be let "go wild" the next few years.

[ridesthemiles]

I understand, but think of the implications this will give enviro wacko nuts! This is the "invitation of the vampire to come in"!

This will affect/effect every state!

The list shown of the Sponsors of this bill are the biggest clues as to how bad it really is.

I ride on public land, pampers is just part of the problems we see. I try to notify the ranger of transgressions whenever I see something, but he is also overwhelmed.

STOP THIS BILL IN IT'S TRACKS!!!. Today farms and ranches. Tomorrow your yard--"because the poor immigrants living in the city never get to see any grass" or get to "pick any flowers". Think about it. I am not wrong.

[GatekeeperBookman]

Oh my God! We are close to direct transfer payments. They already lease every free acre of Texas to fresh Yankees & foriegn 'visitors'. We really are being pushed.

[hispanarepublicana]

Let me get this straight.....is this a bill to pay for idled land (we already can't produce enough grain), or to pay for hunting, say, pheasant, in production fields?

[bicycle thug]

"Biking & butterfly watching, though, will fill fields/paths with much rubbish."

What an sissy, uninformed little one liner. Myself, I always wind up carrying out more rubbish then I create when I ride off road. Mountain bikers have a code of conduct that the National Offroad Bicycle Association (NORBA) first made popular.

Basically, if you want access, don't foul the nest. Rise ON the trails. Stop for animals like horses that can spook and hurt a rider. Don't litter, vandalize or grafitti. If you do # two, bury it. Notbody likes to step in your shiite.

There are always going to be exceptions, but people serious enough to recreate on a bicycle to go out onto the far counrtside tend to protect their right to do so.

I don't know about butterfly watchers, but offroad bicycles have a good reputation in my state that has a great deal of public land to ride on.

I do know that the vast majority of roadside littering I have seen take place on hard roads has been thrown out of a car window as it sailed down the right of way. But I am smart enough to know that this too represents a small preportion of motorists doing this, and would not slander the entire group of folks in cars as you do to those of us who prefer bicycles for transportation and recreation.

[tiki]

I'm blown away by this and can't believe it is the first time I've heard of this bill. As far as I'm concerned, there ain't no way.

I think I'm still in shock about this.

The way to increase use of private lands is for farmers to charge hunters and hikers and whatever, if they choose to allow them on their property. That way the people who use the private lands pay for them instead of tax dollars.

[countrydummy]

ping

[Issaquahking]

Thanks for the ping! Socialist alert.

[countrydummy]

Your welcome, although I think farmfriend pinged ya to it! How have ya been? Please pass this on to your lists!

[NutmegDevil]

"Bicycle Thug" - and you call me "an sissy". At ease, I was kiddin'. Though I was enlightened by what you let me know about there being a bikers' code of ethics that includes not disturbing the environment. I'm an avid butterfly watcher and I have never met any lover of butterflies (except collectors for profit) who would harm the habitat of those lovely creatures. Warm regards!

[bicycle thug]

Well, I didn't mean to come on too strong, and when I was told "to be at ease" when I was in the Army, I was usually being too intense. And I don't want to be as bad a humorless, dogmatic bicycle advocate as I've had to wince when listening too now. ;-)

Nice to meet a genuine butterfly watcher. That's one insect I wish there were more of. I appreciate any bug that doesn't want my blood when I am outdoors.

Warm regards back at you, BT