Refuge takeover threatens our way of life

By Erik Molvar Updated 4 hrs ago

In Oregon, a poorly regulated, self-styled “militia” staged a takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, demanding that the federal government sign over the title to public lands to state and local authorities. Their stated goal is the sell-off and privatization of federal land across much of the American West. This prospect appeals to profiteering corporate interests, but polling shows that most westerners rightly recognize the privatization of public lands as a direct threat to our way of life.

In Congress, a handful of anti-public-lands lawmakers have been struggling for years, thankfully without success, toward privatizing public lands (through the rule of law, rather than armed insurrection) ...

In Wyoming, we’re lucky to have lots of public land managed by federal agencies – it covers half the state. These lands are popular destinations for Wyoming residents of all kinds: hunters, hikers, equestrians, birders, rockhounds, history buffs, wild horse enthusiasts, anglers, wildlife watchers, and folks who simply like to take the family on a camping trip.

Our love for public lands, and the value of public access to them, is so ingrained that one leader of blue-collar workers described public lands as “the Wyoming wage,” a form of non-cash compensation that makes up for comparatively slim and lower-paying job opportunities found in the Equality State. It’s an enormous part of our quality of life ...

http://trib.com/opinion/columns/molvar-refuge-takeover-threatens-our-way-of-life/article_67753dc2-b88c-5dc4-8afd-f991ceb7f1af.html