Blogs

The US Forest Service, an arm of the US Department of Agriculture has been attempting to control land and water in ways that over-reach legislative authority, this article explores the clear intent of the Forest Service to exert control over water in ways it is not authorized to do in spite of clear instruction from the Supreme Court to remain within the parameters of law. Systematic Efforts by the U.S. Forest Service to Take Control of Private Water Rights http://survivalblog.com/systematic-efforts-by-the-u-s-forest-service-to-take-control-of-private-water-rights-by-w-w/ The article contains important links to FS documents, Task Force Studies, and Court Decisions, as well as attempts made by legislators to halt this abuse of authority.

Throughout the State of Washington Land Use is being controlled through the In Stream Flow Rules of the Department of Ecology. In Skagit County this lead to a retired couple being denied building permits. The process is so convoluted and is such an affront to justice for not only this couple but also for nearly 500 homeowners and 5,500 landowners within the Skagit Watershed who do not have legal access to water in Ecology’s legal opinion. The retired couple is now in court seeking justice in their case. Fox vs Skagit County is a case which may have far reaching impact for many citizens of this state. This is an important case that is worth following and worth support from property owners across the state. Many of these property owners are not aware of the precarious position they are in due to the DOE opinion of water rights.

On August 8th, the Governor appointed WDFW commission heard testimony regarding the proposed HPA rule-making changes. Common projects requiring approval under the state’s hydraulic rules include work on bulkheads, culverts, piers and docks. http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2014/08/aug0814_10_summary.pdf Due to overwhelming public comment regarding the methods, science, and reach of the HPA rules, the WDFW has expanded the comment period to September 15, 2014. This decision was made after public testimony on August 8th before the WDFW Commission.

After reading the jaw-dropping report https://www.cfact.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Senate-report-chain-of-environmental-command.pdf reading this book, “The Blueprint:How the Democrats Won Colorado”, by Adam Schrager and Bob Witwer will give additional insight into the games played that often have a chilling effect on the will of the voting public.

United Property Owners of Montana will offer 2 days of presenters discussing such hot topics as PLF's Paul Beard on the Koontz vs St Johns River Water Management District. Also on the list of topics are advice on defending your property against public access, the imposition of free roaming Bison, private/public land exchange and access issues, William Perry Pendley on property rights and abandoned government easements, eminent domain, sage grouse and the ESA, the EPA and the Waters of the United States rule, and the Flathead Water Compact.

The Federal Government plays rough. Following the Drakes Bay Oyster Company case, one can see why sharing lands with the federal government is not sharing at all. What began as a land agreement with California State and the Drakes Bay Oyster Company and the Federal Government, the National Park Service evolved over the years into a taking. The National Park Service owns the land under the cannery and says the estero should be protected by the 1964 Wilderness Act, as "an area … untrammeled … where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." Is it any wonder that people are worried about the National Park Service and National Heritage Areas Designations when these types of situations happen under NPS management?

Much curiosity has been generated by this story. This man collected rainwater and run-off on his 170 acre property. Read below of the how and why of this man's reservoirs and his 30 day jail sentence. http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/blogs/oregon-man-in-possession-of-13-million-gallons-of-illicit-rainwater

by Tom DeWeese August 5, 2014 NewsWithViews.com http://www.newswithviews.com/DeWeese/tom250.htm The attacks came fast and furious, from March through June. A coordinated attack to vilify, ostracize and neutralize efforts by local citizen activists who are standing in opposition to Agenda 21 and its policy called Sustainable Development. The terms “conspiracy theory,” “extremists,” “fear mongers,” and “far right,” are all over these obvious attempts to smear any opposition to the agenda of the Sustainablist planners that now swarm over nearly every community in America.

On July 30, 2014 U.S Environment and Public Works Committee Republicans released a report highlighting the collusion between environmental activists, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and billionaires using large sums of money to influence environmental public policy. Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights has called out in past articles some of these corporate environmental organizations for their propensity to consider almost every creature and plant endangered, prompting them to propagate lawsuit after lawsuit on a seemingly daily basis. This is not only expensive and fruitless for the taxpayer, but more often than not has a direct tie to land use and property rights. Ranchers, farmers, loggers, and the mineral industry have suffered along with the individual property owner due to these suits which "force" endangered species listings.

Here is a great article describing the Endangered Species Act, the harm it has caused, and how Americans could do well in actually helping species without the ESA. Thanks to Tom Remington and James Beers: http://tomremington.com/2014/07/30/american-life-without-the-endangered-species-act/