Preserving access to our nation's forests

by Jim Harbison

I attended the second annual Keep Our Forests Open (KOFO) rally in Truth or Consequences, N.M. recently. Its theme was to "take back our forests one county at a time." It marked the anniversary of the Silver City protest opposing the proposed closing of long established roads in the Gila Wilderness. This rally was organized by the KOFO organization which, according to its website http://www.keepourforestopen.org, is focused on the preservation of rights of American citizens to access their forests.

This rally was to remind the public of KOFO's activities and to highlight the efforts of the various federal agencies to restrict and deny us access to our forests by closing roads and engaging in other bureaucratic shenanigans. Misguided actions by the EPA, BLM and U.S. Forest Service or presidential declarations of wilderness or national monument status all adversely impact individual access and public use of our lands. More importantly, the rally reminded those of us from Las Cruces that there are officials outside of Doña Ana County who are working to restore local authority over public lands.

Speakers included spokesperson the Rev. Mike Skidmore, Otero County Commission Chairman Ronny Rardin, Sierra County Sheriff Joe Baca, and the mayor and Tombstone, Ariz., government officials. Congressman Pearce, an active participant in this movement, was unable to attend but sent a video clip acknowledging the successful efforts of KOFO to oppose government interventions that deny us access to our forests and public lands. Rev. Skidmore reviewed the successful rallies in Silver City and Cloudcroft, and Otero County actions to reassert local control over forests in Lincoln County.

Commissioner Rardin mentioned Congressman Pearce cutting the first tree at the Cloudcroft rally which began the process of returning forest management to local authority, reducing the combustible fuel sources and cutting fire break roads where necessary. Backed by the county commissioners, Otero County Sheriff Benny House has reasserted his authority over the public lands in the county and has informed both BLM and USFS he would arrest anyone who blocks public roads within the county. Otero County Commissioners also resolved a dispute with the BLM over access to a long-established public road by reclaiming the road from the BLM by eminent domain.

Sierra County Sheriff Joe Baca, supported by his county commissioners, has also taken similarly proper actions to arrest federal agents who attempt to deny access to county roads. He refused to accept $16,000 in federal funds which would have obligated him to subordinate his jurisdiction to that of the federal government. As a member of the Association of Western Sheriffs that represents the 13 western states, Sheriff Baca has become a leader on county sheriff's legal authority. He also carries a copy of the U.S. Constitution in his pocket at all times to remind him of his obligation to support and defend the Constitution and property rights of the people.

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