|
Donald D. Alt and "Pastor Rick" McKinney
|
|
Silver Springs Ranchers
Defy Federal, State Laws
Part Four
|
November 9th, 2007 (Continued)
The observations of volunteers were phoned in to BLM. BLM's only comment at the time was to thank the parties making the report, restate that cattle were not permitted on the allotment and that someone from BLM would have to come out and have a look.
November 10th, 2007
Local citizens reported that the ranchers had closed off the cattle guard entrance to Stockton Flat with a gate.
Barbed wire strung across a normally open cattle guard on Rocky Rd. near the intersection of the
26 Mile Route historic trail. This is a safety hazard as the crossing is frequented by OHV riders
who expect the cattle guard to be clear! Only one strand of barbed wire coming over the handlebars
of a dirt bike or quad at speed can cause unbelievably serious or even fatal injuries
such as the decapitation accident that occurred in Carson City in 2006.
Link to Nevada Appeal decapitation story.
BLM had previously informed volunteers that neither Mr. Alt, or anyone else was currently authorized to put cattle out on Stockton Flat. They requested information regarding any cattle being placed or "showing up" on the allotment. Furthermore BLM had advised that neither Mr. Alt nor anyone else had permission to close off any entrance into the allotment without specific BLM approval. BLM indicated that unauthorized modifications to fencing and gates were also of concern to them.
November 13th, 2007
(November 13th was the first business day after the Veteran's Day weekend.)
BLM staff responded to Stockton Flat first thing in the morning and removed the wire gate.
At 14:40 hours volunteers investigated a 1953 Chevrolet flat bed truck that was discharging water into the concrete cistern. When inquiries were made the driver and helper indicated that they had been hired by Mr. Donald Alt to fill the tank. The license number of the truck was NV 222-MYF.
While the volunteers were watching this operation Rodrick C. "Pastor Rick" McKinney pulled up in his GMC Yukon complaining that someone took down his wire gate at the cattle guard. He was informed that he could find it in the dumpster at BLM's Carson Field Office. "Pastor Rick's" demeanor was generally rude and surly.
"Pastor Rick" runs the New Hope Recovery Ranch in Silver Springs.
| 