To the Editor:

Why should a ranch family which has been a crucial part of Grant County history for over 100 years have to be a supplicant to an agency whose presence has only been here for half that time? Why would local political subordinates, who believe they are omnipotent in their elected positions, obviously support that agency against the local citizens?

The J.C. Oliver Ranch is legendary in our area and they are now being forced to justify an objection to massive road closures instigated by the Forest Service on the Wolf Project in southern Grant County which will affected access to an allotment they have utilized for many years. Closures which have the appearance of being supported by the lower levels of the County Court whose loyalties have been severely in question for a considerable amount of time.

The Forest Service has blatantly ignored the disabilities of two members of the Oliver family which necessitate motorized access to their allotment, and has deliberately proposed road closures that will negate a long established tradition in livestock management. Why were the access issues collaborated in Burns by the Harney County Collaborative and why did the Harney County Open Roads Coalition – a Harney County Collaborative member – give its approval of roads and access issues in Grant County? Why was the Grant County sheriff’s objection removed from this process when he clearly informed Steve Beverlin of the Grant County Ordinance 2013-01 on Jan 20 which affects all road and access issues in Grant County?

The Forest Service references redundant and scientifically unsubstantiated reasons for road closures. They refuse, or are unable, to offer any of their referenced environmental documents which they claim support past road closures. With arrogant narrow-minded determination, the Forest Service is attempting to destroy our lifestyle, tradition, and livelihood. It is our land and it is time we stood together against tyranny that our government has foisted on us in the form of a dictatorial land management agency that has over stepped its authority granted by the Constitution of the United States.

Jim Sproul

Canyon City