This is an excellent example of an overbearing government. From a post I made a few days back, quoting an much older article:
“When asked in an interview why the Wilderness Act did not compel the U.S. Forest Service to block the city of Tombstone, Nick Dranias responded, “The Wilderness Act is subsequent to Tombstone’s rights. Tombstone has had these rights since 1881, and they are extremely well documented. The Wilderness Act explicitly says that it is subject to existing rights. Not only that, but the Forest Service manual says that customary uses and mechanized equipment can continue to be used under the Wilderness Act. In the past, they routinely allowed them to repair these water lines. In 1977 the lines were washed out, and they went in and repaired them. In 1993 the lines were washed out, and they went in and repaired them. In 2000 to 2001 they made repairs involving welding and the use of backhoes. This is the first time ever that the Forest Service has cited the Wilderness Act to block customary access to property rights that date back to 1881.”...
...There has been very little response outside of Tombstone itself from Federal elected officials. Tombstone is located in CD 8, formerly represented by Gabrielle Giffords. When asked if the interim office staff would respond to a request for help from, say, the mayor of Tombstone, a CD 8 representative said, “We can’t get involved in taking any positions until there is a new representative.” Raul Grijalva’s office did not return a telephone inquiry. Rep. Jeff Flake, from a congressional district to the north, did write a letter to the Forest Service demanding an explanation.”
Excellent comment and explanation of what the US Forest Service and federal government in general is doing to prevent the town of Tombstone from restoring their rights to the spring water they have had since the 19th century.
Tucson and other pockets in southern Arizona are liberal and like the fact that the federal government is stopping these folks from damaging their precious wilderness areas. Raul Grijalva is about as close to a communist as anybody can get. He’s worthless. Anybody who has been to the Huachuca Mountains and the desert between them and Tombstone knows that there is nothing that is so delicate that the town shouldn’t be allowed to used modern equipment to restore their water flow.
It’s nice to know that the Forest Service has become so diligent about enforcing this nation’s laws. I suppose that they are busy even as we speak ensuring that illegal immigrants are not trespassing on Forest Service managed lands.
USAF LTC, Ret, Martha McSally is running as the Republican, candidate for Congress in Giffords’ old district. If Tombstone is still in it, it seems that Tombstone’s water rights would be a positive issue for her.