generalspeaking

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Owning The Natural Landscape -- National Treasures

"Through hard work and determination -- and they didn't have a lot of privilege -- they've reached success."
"We want to be good neighbours. I know some people think we haven't been, just because we haven't let them freely roam across our property as they saw fit."
"But I'll also offer: Do you want me camping in your front yard?"
Justin Wilks, Idaho City, Idaho

"[The problem] is not the fact that they own the property. It's that they've cut off public roads."
"We're being bullied. We can't compete and they know it."
"[I want my grandchildren to grow up with a feel for rural life.] This is the whole reason I moved here."
Tim Horting, 58, heavy equipment salesman, Boise, Idaho

Unimaginable, that one family could buy up and own 280,000 hectares of land crossing several states. Some front yard that is. Of course, since it's their private property, all others are excluded. Trails have been closed off, armed guards on patrol to ensure there are no trespassers. With all that land, all that natural wilderness, all the room, isolated areas of great natural beauty, who is there to observe it, enjoy it, take pleasure in it, treasure it? The sheer scale of the land involved, an entire geography of mountains, rivers and lakes should mandate it remain public.

The ordinary people of Idaho have long been accustomed to valuing that geography and its geological splendour by hiking and hunting in the hills for long generations. There is one new land owner, John Malone, cable magnate, whose conservation efforts have drawn praise from the Nature Conservancy. Others fortunate enough to be able to buy their own piece of Paradise have cleaned up trails, restoring hectares of land to their original pristine condition. And the area in general is seeing a population boom.

A columnist for The Idaho Statesman, now retired, calls the conflict between land-owners and long-time residents of the region whose fears of culture loss and economic instability have created a simmering resentment, a "clash between two American dreams", where respect for private property rights comes up hard against a wondrous natural landscape which should be viewed as a public estate accessible to everyone.

Private land in the United States has newly become concentrated in the ownership of a select few. Land stretching from the Rocky Mountains into Texas; commercial forests and ranches have become an investment attraction. Currently, one hundred families have taken ownership of roughly 17 million hectares across the United States. As wealthy buyers take possession of large parcels of land, locals view the new owners as a threat to a cherished way of life, as their access to the outdoors is being narrowed.

Tim Horting hiked in the woods north of Boise growing up. He built a cabin in the woods so familiar to him, with dirt roads and views of the celebrated Idaho mountain peaks. His cabin, built in 2006, was right beside Boise Ridge Road, not far from a popular recreation area. In 2015 the Wilks brothers Dan and Ferris bought 70,000 hectares at the very edge of Mr. Horting's cabin sites. Shortly afterward there was a gate on the road, signs on trees: "Warning, Private Property. No Trespassing".

Eventually, county prosecutors investigated the road closings and looked into the potential for litigation. Then came a series of proposals to loosen the tight grip the Wilks placed on their properties. Some access to roads and trails have been restored. The gate on Boise Ridge Road has been opened. The No Trespass signs have been removed.

"[Idaho’s road rights-of-way and easement laws are] utterly complex, incredibly murky."
"We need clarity, and the longer we do not have clarity, it’s only going to benefit billionaires at the expense of the public who utilizes public lands. I believe in private property rights, and the Wilks brothers have every right to do what they want with their property, but that doesn’t mean easement laws don’t exist."
"Idahoans clearly value access, and we also value private property rights, and there is a whole ocean of gray area when those two marry each other. We need to hone those in, we need to reign those in."
Brian Brooks, Idaho Wildlife Federation