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OUR VIEW Our View: A clash of cultures in Harney County Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The "standoff," such as it is, at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is drawing national attention, so it's worth taking a moment to note that the subtext behind the headlines reflects a cultural clash that is not well understood by those who don't live in the West, and particularly in the wide-open, sparsely populated rangelands of the rural West managed by federal agencies. U.S. Rep Greg Walden, whose sprawling 2nd Congressional District includes Harney County, gave an impassioned speech on the House floor last week in which he criticized the resentencing of Dwight and Steve Hammond, calling them "longtime, responsible ranchers" he has known for 20 years. In the process, Walden skewered the "overzealous bureaucrats and agencies (that) go beyond the law and clamp down on people." It was the five-year prison sentences the Hammonds began serving last week under anti-terrorism statues for committing arson on public land that prompted out-of-state activists to stage an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The armed militants, led by Ammon Bundy, son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, demanded the government turn over federal land in the county for residents to manage on their own. Walden made a point of saying the occupation of federal buildings was "inappropriate," and the militants should go home. He's right about that, and Harney County residents themselves agree: Locals have made it clear they do not support Bundy and his cohorts. Walden and others are right, however, when they say federal managers of vast swaths of public land in the West too often have been arrogant toward the farmers and ranchers who have scratched out a living there for generations against stiff odds. Ranching is hard enough when you must cope with harsh weather, scarce water and unpredictable markets without adding a monolithic federal bureaucracy that does not respond quickly enough when needed or imposes new restrictions with little notice or willingness to compromise. All is not black and white when it comes to Western land management. Public land should be managed for the benefit of all the public, not just ranchers, farmers and hunters. But those groups have legitimate concerns and deserve to be heard. Examples exist of cooperative efforts involving federal agencies, industry and private landowners to protect wetlands, battle invasive species and conduct thinning operations that make forests more resistant to catastrophic wildfire. But those collaborations are still more the exception than the rule. There is no valid argument to be made that federal ownership of public land is illegal in any way, and Bundy and his followers are simply wrong when they claim to be upholding the Constitution while essentially committing armed sedition. The misguided militants should leave Harney County, and they will, sooner or later. But when they do, the people of Harney County will still be there, and they have concerns that deserve to be heard. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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