New forest boss optimistic Jarbidge road dispute can be resolved

Sandra Chereb

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 9:48 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - The man who soon will be hip deep in a controversy epitomizing Western rural frustrations over federal control of public lands is hopeful that a resolution can be reached.

Bob Vaught will be the government's point man in a festering dispute that features a threatened fish, a remote dirt road in rural Elko County and local defiance of the U.S. Forest Service when he assumes his new job next month as supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

"I don't know what's resolvable and what isn't," Vaught said in a telephone interview this week.

"My intent is to put a lot of energy in both trying to understand the issue, to make progress on the issue and improve relationships."

Vaught is wrapping up his duties as supervisor of Colville National Forest in Washington. He starts his new job as head of the largest national forest in the lower 48 states on Feb. 14.

He replaces Gloria Flora, who cited harassment, intimidation and verbal abuse against Forest Service employees in announcing her resignation in November.

"I certainly understand it's going to take some work," Vaught said. "The future begins now and tomorrow is a new day."

Vaught is no stranger to Nevada, having worked in Elko County from 1984-87 at the Mountain City Ranger District on the Humboldt forest. He served three years after that as ranger of the Toiyabe Austin District in central Nevada.

"It was a very positive experience for me," he said. "I enjoyed my time in Nevada; I enjoyed the people."

While Vaught makes arrangements for his move to Nevada, Forest Service adversaries in Elko County are anticipating the arrival of thousands of shovels donated by sympathizers from around the West.

The shovels have become a symbol for activists' efforts to rebuild the washed-out South Canyon Road beside the Jarbidge River - home to the southernmost population of the threatened bull trout.

The Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contend the road can't be reconstructed without jeopardizing bull trout habitat.

Elko County officials and others refute Forest Service jurisdiction over the road, arguing it existed before the Humboldt National Forest was created nearly a century ago.

The so-called "shovel brigade" was born in October, when dissident leaders organized a citizen work party to rebuild the road with picks and shovels.

A temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge in Reno blocked reconstruction of the remote canyon road near the Nevada-Idaho line, but organizers are planning a renewed effort this summer.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge David Hagen ordered the Justice Department, Elko County officials and dissident leaders into mediation. That process is still in preliminary stages, with a mediator expected to be appointed by Jan. 31.

As a monument to their cause, activists erected a 30-foot tall shovel in front of the Elko County courthouse. So far, more than 2,200 people have paid $1 to have their name engraved on it.

Republican State Assemblyman John Carpenter, one of the organizers of the citizen rebellion, proposed and helped pay for the 500-pound shovel structure as a way to keep the issue alive.

"We've got to win this thing or the West as we know it is not going to be around," he said.

The dispute has evolved into a rallying cry for home-rule and private-property-rights advocates who view federal control of public lands as an intrusion.

Jim Hurst, a Montana sawmill owner, started collecting shovels for the Elko group last month. Shovels have also been collected in Wyoming, Idaho and eastern Washington, among other places, and are to arrive in Elko on Saturday. A parade is planned to deliver them to the courthouse lawn.

Still, Vaught is not intimidated by the challenge that awaits him.

"Jarbidge has taken the persona of a lot of things people are concerned about," he said.

"I'm very positive that the people in Nevada are interested in good relations with the Forest Service," Vaught said. "If all parties come together ... I think we can make some significant progress."