Oregon

Rancher
Standof
Land Use Policy, Federalism and Separation of Powers,
Issue of Public Concern

Land Use Policy

Wildlife Refuges - How are they established and why are they
established?
Established by national and local governments
Made to protect species of animals and their habitats
More than 560 national wildlife refuges across the US
Attract approximately 46.5 million visitors annually
Generate more than $2.4 billion for local economies
Create nearly 35,000 US jobs annually

Land Use Policy cont.

Wildlife Refuges - Downsides?
Limits city development
Once a refuge is created, public conservation falls under US Fish and
Wildlife Service jurisdiction

Federalism and Separation

What
federalism?
of isPowers
Federalism is the the relationship between two types of government,
state and federal governments, that have jurisdiction in the same areas.
What is separation of powers?
Separation of powers is the division of government responsibilities into
branches.

Federalism and Separation

Federal
Government Land Rights
of powers
cont.
The Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 states that public
lands are under federal ownership not state, this is especially prevalent
in the Western states

What was the standof?

The Oregon Rancher Standoff was an armed standoff in Harney County,
Oregon between anti-government militants and county, state, and
federal law enforcement agencies at the Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge

Started
January 2, 2016 until February 11, 2016
The refuge was occupied following a peaceful march protesting the
resentencing of Ranchers Dwight and Steve Hammond after their
arson conviction in 2012. The occupation was started by Ammon
Bundy and Ryan Payne

Background - Hammond
2012,
Dwight andCase
Steven Hammond were convicted of arson on federal
Arson
land from two fires they had started in 2001 and 2006. They were
sentenced to time in jail and served. In 2015, the sentences were
vacated the sentences because the sentences were shorter to the
minimum and resentenced the Hammonds

On the Refuge
During the first two weeks there wasnt any violence. Only one militant
was arrested while he was out in a stolen government vehicle.
During the third and fourth weeks more militants arrived at the refuge.
During this time, the militants started to vandalise the property.
Negotiations were held , but there was no solid outcome.

The Shooting
On January 26, the main leaders of the occupation, Bundy and Payne,
were seen in two vehicles leaving the refuge. The government officials
took this opportunity and went to stop them and arrest them. One of
the drivers drove away from the officers after taunting them. Robert
Finicum, the driver, drove his truck into a snowbank on the side of the
road to try and bypass a roadblock the officials had set up. He jumped
from his car and reached into his jacket pocket. An Oregon police officer
opened fire on Finicum, killing him. This event ended with the arrests of
Bundy and 3 other militants

Outcome
The occupation continued for two weeks after the death of Finicum. The
militants there debated on what to do next, but Ammon Bundys lawyer
urged for the remaining militants to surrender and go home. The
remaining militants ended up either being let go to go home or
arrested.
In the end, 27 militants were arrested for felony conspiracy and are to
be tried starting September 7

In my opinion...
This occupation has a bigger meaning than to save the Hammonds.
Ever since the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, states in
the West are not particularly happy with the amount of control the
federal government has on their land. This occupation really gave a
good view on how much people resent refuges that have taken land
from them, especially ranchers. I believe that the ranchers could have
gone about this problem a different way, but they do have a very valid
stance. If I were in their shoes, I would be upset at the federal
government for taking away land that I needed for raising cattle and
horses.