Posted on 02/28/2004 4:04:29 PM PST by CedarDave
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Roundup Shuts Gila Forest Site
By Richard Benke
The Associated Press
Gila National Forest officials say they're closing the Diamond Bar allotment to the public this weekend to allow a contractor to prepare for a roundup and impoundment of all cattle on federal land used by the ranch. "The area closure goes into effect tomorrow," Gila public affairs officer Andrea Martinez said Friday. "That's to allow the contractors to begin their preparation."
A contractor who would round up more than 400 cattle from the Diamond Bar was found during the past week, she said. The preparations would include bringing in equipment, corrals and other necessities. "After a couple of delays, we are now prepared for the removal and impoundment to start as soon as the contractor is set up," said Annette Chavez, ranger of the Gila's Wilderness District.
The closure of the allotment includes shutting several roads and trails that lead in and out of the range lands. The roundup is expected to take weeks. The precise time it will start has not been determined. The Forest Service did not immediately disclose the identity of the contractor or the amount of money he will be paid. "The contractor asked that his name be kept confidential, and we want to honor that," Martinez said. A Freedom of Information request would be required to find out the amount being paid to the contractor, she said.
Ranchers Kit and Sherry Laney have said they will not interfere with the contractors' roundup, but they say they will monitor the event with video recordings and expect to prosecute those responsible for the roundup later. The Laneys contend that the roundup is illegal and the impoundment potentially a criminal offense. They have said they own a vested fee interest in areas the federal government claims to control. The Laneys say such an interest is similar to owning mineral rights or another easement on the land. In their case, the ownership is tied to both water rights and the land that is incidental to the water rights for the purpose of grazing cattle.
Lining up a contractor had been a challenge. Several cowhands had balked at participating in the roundup, Laney and others have said. "Once they found out what the deal was," Laney said earlier in the month, "they backed out."
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