Editorial: Judge unhappy over Elko dispute

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000 | 9:21 a.m.

It's tough to fault U.S. District Judge David Hagen for growing impatient over the inability of Elko County and the federal government to resolve a dispute over who is in charge of a washed-out road on national forest land. On Wednesday the judge criticized both sides for arguing like schoolchildren. Hagen, according to an Associated Press account, also sternly urged the county and its so-called "Shovel Brigade" that it should find a way to settle the disagreement before a Nov. 22 mediation deadline passes.

While we hope a compromise can be reached over this impasse, it is the county that stubbornly has refused to accept a common-sense mediation settlement, a deal that would allow the U.S. Forest Service to see if a way could be found to rebuild the road without violating federal laws that protect the endangered bull trout. This dispute has been brewing since 1995 -- it's time for Elko County officials to settle this amicably.

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