Editorial: ‘Brigade’ needs to grow up

Monday, June 19, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.

It was hoped that mediation efforts ordered by U.S. District Judge David Hagen could at least diffuse some of the tensions -- if not resolve -- the dispute between Elko County and the federal government over local efforts to rebuild a national-forest road. Federal wildlife officials have opposed any attempts to repair a section of the road, which washed out in 1995 during a flood. These officials worry that construction near the Jarbidge River could disturb the stream bed or add silt, threatening the endangered bull trout.

But the atmosphere has been so poisoned by local and state politicians who live in Elko County that an Elko rancher, Demar Dahl, is now vowing to "reclaim" the road on Independence Day. Dahl's threats to have the so-called "Shovel Brigade" come to Jarbidge on July 4 prompted a swift and stern response last week from U.S. Attorney Kathryn Landreth, the chief federal prosecutor in Nevada. According to her letter to Dahl, Landreth warns him that he could be subject to federal prosecution if he doesn't seek the necessary federal permits before performing work there.

It seems Dahl and others in Elko County aren't really interested in a solution to this contentious issue. Rather, they are manipulating the matter to stir up even more hatred, using this to try to scuttle mediation efforts, which are set to resume Tuesday. So where does the Elko County Commission stand on Dahl's irrational behavior? According to a report last week in the Elko Daily Free Press, commissioners said the actions of Dahl weren't official county activities, nor was the county sanctioning them. But the fact remains that it is the Elko County commissioners and their elected district attorney, Gary Woodbury, who bear large responsibility for the current situation, since it has been their words and actions that have recklessly spurred on the "Shovel Brigade," which now is in danger of running into federal prosecution if it tries to rebuild the road on federal land. The vitriol should have been corralled a long time ago.