YellowSub1962
07-02-2001, 08:49 AM
American Land Rights Association - Land Rights Network
PO Box 400 - Battle Ground WA 98604
Phone: 360-687-3087 - Fax: 360-687-2973 - Email: <alra@pacifier.com> - http://www.landrights.org
Legislative Office: 508 First St SE - Washington DC 20003
Phone: 202-210-2357 - Fax: 202-543-7126 - Email: landrightsnet@aol.com
Property Rights Heroes: the Mantle Family
Below are excerpts from the testimony of Mrs. Renee Mantle, a rancher from
Colorado who testified last week in support of private property rights and
against HR 701, the CARA Land Grab - the Condemnation and Relocation Act.
Her testimony describes as well as can be done how CARA will provide the
funds for state and federal land acquisition agents to condemn private
property.
If you hear the CARA sponsors, Alaska Congressman Don Young and
Louisiana's 'Slick Willy' Tauzin, make claims about property rights in
CARA, please remember the Mantle family and their battles with federal
agents.
The Mantle family is the real thing. Don Young and Slick Willy Tauzin are
politicians who have SOLD YOU OUT for a pile of cash.
Here it is: The Mantle Family Testimony
My name is Renee Daniels-Mantle. My family has raised cattle for over a
century. In 1919, my husband's grandfather, Charley Mantle, homesteaded
the Mantle Ranch along the Yampa River in northwestern Colorado.
Miles away and four years earlier, Dinosaur National Monument was declared
by President Wilson near the town of Jensen, Utah. The original monument
was only 80 acres. In 1938, President Roosevelt expanded Dinosaur by over
200,000 acres, encompassing the Mantle homestead.
As stated in the National Park Service Land Acquisition Plan, the
acquisition objective for Dinosaur National Monument is to "acquire private
and state inholdings as they become available. First priority for purchase
will be those lands where incompatible uses are taking place, including
grazing, roads and structures, etc."
Based in part on these guidelines, there has been an aggressive and
relentless effort by the Park Service over the years to make the Mantle
property available for acquisition.
A letter dated November 25, 1964 hung the cloud of condemnation over the
Mantle Ranch. In this document, we see that the Park Service intended to
use the property for "major road and construction projects" with
recommendations to "acquire by condemnation . . . when land acquisition
funds become available."
{***EDITORS NOTE: Apparently, road construction and maintenance are all
right, as long as the Park Service is doing it and not land owners on their
own private property!!!}
The Mantle Ranch's grazing allotment is next targeted in the same Land
Acquisition Plan. "Scenic easement acquisition is not practical for this
area because it will not eliminate grazing use, which is one of Dinosaur
National Monument's objectives."
A letter fifteen years later (1979) from the Park Service clarifies their
position on grazing by stating "In general, grazing is regarded as an
incompatible use of National Park System areas."
The current Management Plan states, "if any nonfederal property is
subjected to incompatible use, necessary actions would be taken to protect
park resources. This could include the use of condemnation." Incompatible
uses once again include "new agricultural uses, including grazing or the
cultivation or irrigation of a meadow or pasture, new major agricultural
support structures . . . including stock ponds, barns, and storage
buildings." Remember, we are a ranch and this applies to our private
property.
On February 5, 2001 the letter shows that Option One for a Mantle land
purchase by the agency is a condemnation proceeding. "If the NPS elects to
condemn the property, either with or without concurrence, the Mantle family
does not have the option of withdrawing."
It seems to me that if the Mantles are willing sellers, a fair price will
be arrived at. The federal government does not need the power to acquire
land for conservation purposes until the owner is ready.
I have many more examples that display intentions to acquire the property
by making us 'willing sellers.' This says nothing of the blatant
harassment, constant surveillance, private property destruction, and
trespassing on the part of the National Park Service. All to acquire our
land by creating a situation that prohibits our grazing and renders our
property worthless to us. In a nutshell, ranching is not a compatible use
and as soon as the Park Service has the funds, they will use their
regulations to put us out of business or condemn our property.
CARA, HR 701 does not prohibit condemnation, and because it transforms the
Land and Water Conservation Fund into a mandatory trust fund, what little
protections it does have are just decorative.
By contrast, Congressman Thornberry's proposal, HR 1592, would add much
more meaningful private property protections. His bill takes an aggressive
step in blocking the application of federal regulations to private property
if that property is inside or adjoining federal lands. I guarantee, had
this provision been placed upon the funds that created Dinosaur, the
problems the Mantles have encountered would never have existed.
MOST IMPORTANTLY however, HR 1592 prohibits acquisition by condemnation.
The federal government and its employees would be kept honest in dealing
with a willing seller, and even a state would not be able to use federal
money for a condemnation proceeding.
End of Statement
(***EDITORS NOTE: HR 1592, The Constitutional Land Acquisition Act,
introduced by Congressman William "Mac" Thornberry (R-TX), had a hearing
the same day as HR 701 (CARA). It WOULD add private property rights
protections to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the same law that CARA
modifies and adds huge amounts of money to (a big part of $45 billion over
15 years). Unfortunately, the proponents of CARA oppose HR 1592.. They
don't want REAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTIONS.
Some members of Congress are trying to use smoke and mirrors to confuse you
and the public.
CARA DOES NOT PROHIBIT CONDEMNATION. IT SUPPORTS AND PAYS FOR
CONDEMNATION. Condemnation power comes with the power to govern UNLESS
Congress specifically takes away the right to use CARA money for
condemnation. Without a specific prohibition on condemnation, the Federal
Land Agencies and the states will be able to use the CARA money for
condemnation.***)
ACTION ITEMS:
-----1. LOOK for your Congressman during the week long July 4
congressional recess. He or she will be around at parades, town hall
meetings, and various public functions.
Tell Them:
NO HR 701 - NO CARA Land Grabs!
NO Condemnation of Private Land
-----2. Wear a button or sign to meetings and parades that says:
NO HR 701
NO CARA Land Grabs!
That way people will ask you what CARA is. You can tell them and urge them
to talk to your Congressman. Your Congressman must feel this week like
everywhere he goes someone wants to discuss the CARA LAND GRAB. You do not
want to hand over a billion dollars per year to condemn private property!
-----3. Call your Congressman's office for his schedule this coming week.
A little time invested now will save you a huge amount of money and
heartache later. DO IT NOW!! Every Congressman may be reached at the
Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121. There is a temporary FREE NUMBER of
(800) 648-3516.
----4. Support HR 1592. HR 1592 is a bill you can stand behind. It says
YES to Private Property Rights!
Protect your private property - do not allow the government to condemn your
land, and to harass landowners adjacent to federal lands!d
-----5. YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR TESTIMONY ON THE RECORD against HR
701. Download your NEW TESTIMONY QUESTIONNAIRE, fill it out and fax it
to (360) 687-2973 to be hand delivered to your Congressman and the
Resources Committee.
IT'S EASY. YOU CAN'T MISS IT. GO TO http://www.landrights.org
CALL YOUR FRIENDS
CALL YOUR NEIGHBORS
MAKE SURE YOU SEE OR CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN - Don't lose this week!!!
MAKE SURE YOUR FRIENDS DO IT TOO
Send your Congressman back to Washington DC after the 4th of July week
knowing that many of his or her constituents fear and oppose CARA and
Condemnation. Tell him you oppose HR 701 the
CONDEMNATION AND RELOCATION ACT.
Please forward this message to your entire mailing list. Thank you for
your help.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *NOTE: In accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or
payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this
information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more
information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PO Box 400 - Battle Ground WA 98604
Phone: 360-687-3087 - Fax: 360-687-2973 - Email: <alra@pacifier.com> - http://www.landrights.org
Legislative Office: 508 First St SE - Washington DC 20003
Phone: 202-210-2357 - Fax: 202-543-7126 - Email: landrightsnet@aol.com
Property Rights Heroes: the Mantle Family
Below are excerpts from the testimony of Mrs. Renee Mantle, a rancher from
Colorado who testified last week in support of private property rights and
against HR 701, the CARA Land Grab - the Condemnation and Relocation Act.
Her testimony describes as well as can be done how CARA will provide the
funds for state and federal land acquisition agents to condemn private
property.
If you hear the CARA sponsors, Alaska Congressman Don Young and
Louisiana's 'Slick Willy' Tauzin, make claims about property rights in
CARA, please remember the Mantle family and their battles with federal
agents.
The Mantle family is the real thing. Don Young and Slick Willy Tauzin are
politicians who have SOLD YOU OUT for a pile of cash.
Here it is: The Mantle Family Testimony
My name is Renee Daniels-Mantle. My family has raised cattle for over a
century. In 1919, my husband's grandfather, Charley Mantle, homesteaded
the Mantle Ranch along the Yampa River in northwestern Colorado.
Miles away and four years earlier, Dinosaur National Monument was declared
by President Wilson near the town of Jensen, Utah. The original monument
was only 80 acres. In 1938, President Roosevelt expanded Dinosaur by over
200,000 acres, encompassing the Mantle homestead.
As stated in the National Park Service Land Acquisition Plan, the
acquisition objective for Dinosaur National Monument is to "acquire private
and state inholdings as they become available. First priority for purchase
will be those lands where incompatible uses are taking place, including
grazing, roads and structures, etc."
Based in part on these guidelines, there has been an aggressive and
relentless effort by the Park Service over the years to make the Mantle
property available for acquisition.
A letter dated November 25, 1964 hung the cloud of condemnation over the
Mantle Ranch. In this document, we see that the Park Service intended to
use the property for "major road and construction projects" with
recommendations to "acquire by condemnation . . . when land acquisition
funds become available."
{***EDITORS NOTE: Apparently, road construction and maintenance are all
right, as long as the Park Service is doing it and not land owners on their
own private property!!!}
The Mantle Ranch's grazing allotment is next targeted in the same Land
Acquisition Plan. "Scenic easement acquisition is not practical for this
area because it will not eliminate grazing use, which is one of Dinosaur
National Monument's objectives."
A letter fifteen years later (1979) from the Park Service clarifies their
position on grazing by stating "In general, grazing is regarded as an
incompatible use of National Park System areas."
The current Management Plan states, "if any nonfederal property is
subjected to incompatible use, necessary actions would be taken to protect
park resources. This could include the use of condemnation." Incompatible
uses once again include "new agricultural uses, including grazing or the
cultivation or irrigation of a meadow or pasture, new major agricultural
support structures . . . including stock ponds, barns, and storage
buildings." Remember, we are a ranch and this applies to our private
property.
On February 5, 2001 the letter shows that Option One for a Mantle land
purchase by the agency is a condemnation proceeding. "If the NPS elects to
condemn the property, either with or without concurrence, the Mantle family
does not have the option of withdrawing."
It seems to me that if the Mantles are willing sellers, a fair price will
be arrived at. The federal government does not need the power to acquire
land for conservation purposes until the owner is ready.
I have many more examples that display intentions to acquire the property
by making us 'willing sellers.' This says nothing of the blatant
harassment, constant surveillance, private property destruction, and
trespassing on the part of the National Park Service. All to acquire our
land by creating a situation that prohibits our grazing and renders our
property worthless to us. In a nutshell, ranching is not a compatible use
and as soon as the Park Service has the funds, they will use their
regulations to put us out of business or condemn our property.
CARA, HR 701 does not prohibit condemnation, and because it transforms the
Land and Water Conservation Fund into a mandatory trust fund, what little
protections it does have are just decorative.
By contrast, Congressman Thornberry's proposal, HR 1592, would add much
more meaningful private property protections. His bill takes an aggressive
step in blocking the application of federal regulations to private property
if that property is inside or adjoining federal lands. I guarantee, had
this provision been placed upon the funds that created Dinosaur, the
problems the Mantles have encountered would never have existed.
MOST IMPORTANTLY however, HR 1592 prohibits acquisition by condemnation.
The federal government and its employees would be kept honest in dealing
with a willing seller, and even a state would not be able to use federal
money for a condemnation proceeding.
End of Statement
(***EDITORS NOTE: HR 1592, The Constitutional Land Acquisition Act,
introduced by Congressman William "Mac" Thornberry (R-TX), had a hearing
the same day as HR 701 (CARA). It WOULD add private property rights
protections to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the same law that CARA
modifies and adds huge amounts of money to (a big part of $45 billion over
15 years). Unfortunately, the proponents of CARA oppose HR 1592.. They
don't want REAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTIONS.
Some members of Congress are trying to use smoke and mirrors to confuse you
and the public.
CARA DOES NOT PROHIBIT CONDEMNATION. IT SUPPORTS AND PAYS FOR
CONDEMNATION. Condemnation power comes with the power to govern UNLESS
Congress specifically takes away the right to use CARA money for
condemnation. Without a specific prohibition on condemnation, the Federal
Land Agencies and the states will be able to use the CARA money for
condemnation.***)
ACTION ITEMS:
-----1. LOOK for your Congressman during the week long July 4
congressional recess. He or she will be around at parades, town hall
meetings, and various public functions.
Tell Them:
NO HR 701 - NO CARA Land Grabs!
NO Condemnation of Private Land
-----2. Wear a button or sign to meetings and parades that says:
NO HR 701
NO CARA Land Grabs!
That way people will ask you what CARA is. You can tell them and urge them
to talk to your Congressman. Your Congressman must feel this week like
everywhere he goes someone wants to discuss the CARA LAND GRAB. You do not
want to hand over a billion dollars per year to condemn private property!
-----3. Call your Congressman's office for his schedule this coming week.
A little time invested now will save you a huge amount of money and
heartache later. DO IT NOW!! Every Congressman may be reached at the
Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121. There is a temporary FREE NUMBER of
(800) 648-3516.
----4. Support HR 1592. HR 1592 is a bill you can stand behind. It says
YES to Private Property Rights!
Protect your private property - do not allow the government to condemn your
land, and to harass landowners adjacent to federal lands!d
-----5. YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR TESTIMONY ON THE RECORD against HR
701. Download your NEW TESTIMONY QUESTIONNAIRE, fill it out and fax it
to (360) 687-2973 to be hand delivered to your Congressman and the
Resources Committee.
IT'S EASY. YOU CAN'T MISS IT. GO TO http://www.landrights.org
CALL YOUR FRIENDS
CALL YOUR NEIGHBORS
MAKE SURE YOU SEE OR CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN - Don't lose this week!!!
MAKE SURE YOUR FRIENDS DO IT TOO
Send your Congressman back to Washington DC after the 4th of July week
knowing that many of his or her constituents fear and oppose CARA and
Condemnation. Tell him you oppose HR 701 the
CONDEMNATION AND RELOCATION ACT.
Please forward this message to your entire mailing list. Thank you for
your help.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *NOTE: In accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or
payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this
information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more
information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *