Over a month ago Dick Kroger, retired BLM, wrote a letter to the editor in the Billings Gazette, which I posted to this forum. He was stating that a BLM employee got suspended for doing his job at the Worland office, involving Frank Robbins and grazing violations.
I looked Kroger up and gave him a call, we talked for awhile, I made lots of notes, especially about the domestic sheep introduction, which sounded like Hoppe here in Gardiner. I then began researching the timeline of events. Then I went head to trunck with a tree and have been dealing with the concussion, so only a few days ago when the story came out, pull my notes back out.
Harvey Frank Robbins, an Alabama millionaire, bought a ranch in Montana in the BLM Butte district.
1994 he then buys the High Island ranch in WY, later adding the HD and Owl Creek ranches to the holding. “No one is going to tell me what to do with my property,” Robbins says. Which apparently he thought included the BLM land. He began incurring numerous trespass violations. "BLM files are filled with complaints about Robbins’ operation: cattle trespassing on the private property of neighbors and on the neighbors’ BLM grazing allotments; grazing too early, too late, and putting too many cattle on his allotments; blocking a neighbor’s use of a cattle-drive trail; claiming his cattle were on private pasture when they were on BLM pastures; refusing to obtain recreation permits for his dude ranch trail drives over BLM lands; and refusing to modify his grazing practices during drought. As the struggle developed, the local BLM staffers tried to deny grazing permits to his ranches, and even contemplated seizing his herd. For years, lawsuits and counter-lawsuits volleyed back and forth. At one point, Robbins was charged with interfering with the work of federal officers; he was acquitted in a jury trial in 1998."
In 2002 Robbins goes to Washington to appeal to higher BLM and Interior officials. "It’s gotten so ugly that he bypassed the local BLM staffers and brokered a unique deal with top officials in the Bush administration’s Department of Interior, forcing the locals to back off."
In 2003 Robbins secures a settlement that basically forgave 9 years of violations. "In turn, Robbins agrees to allow the BLM access to BLM lands that he leases."
"The settlement will be in effect until January 2005. While it lasts, only two people can cite Robbins for violations of BLM regulations: BLM Director Kathleen Clarke and the Wyoming director, Bob Bennett." "Meanwhile, the Inspector General of the Interior Department is investigating the legality of the settlement. Several environmental groups are threatening to sue to overturn it. And Robbins has one remaining active lawsuit, alleging that eight current or former BLM staffers conspired against him in violation of a federal racketeering law."
"PEER's Ruch said he's particularly unhappy that Interior officials "sold out" their BLM staff and left them exposed to what Ruch termed "a frivolous" RICO lawsuit. Ruch said the BLM's own fact-finding team determined that Worland staff were behaving professionally and properly in their dealings with Robbins."
In Dec. 2003 - "The Bureau of Land Management has voided a controversial settlement agreement with Thermopolis-area rancher Harvey Frank Robbins Jr., after Robbins was cited for willful trespass of cattle, officials and attorneys involved in the dispute say."
Jan. 2004 the BLM issues official statement of settlement agreement being void. Robbins then sues in a federal district court. The court ruled against Robbins on constitutional claim and Robbins appealed.
Jan 2006 the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals rules Robbins has a right to exclude the BLM.
In Jan. 2007 BLM filed appeal to US Supreme Court.
In June 2007 the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the BLM.
About 2 years ago Robbins brings in domestic sheep in retaliation.
Thats as far as I got before the concussion. I may be missing bits here. From what was relayed by Kroger, the BLM employees in the Worland office were told by superiors not to issue any citations against Robbins, which he just wrote about in another letter to the editor -
Leaders at Worland BLM office violate sacred trust. Tim Stephens was suspended for filing evidence of trespass into the official record (I think it was brought in by a neighbor). He did not issue any citations as superiors have not permitted. At least, that is what I was told. Someone will probably have to do a FOIA to find out.
Read more:
http://billingsgazette.com/news/opi...ca4-5932-82e8-9a0d2a43be6c.html#ixzz3NyVkmVJV
Reckless Rancher cuts sweet deal in D.C.
Western Turf War by retired BLM Darrell Barnes
