BREAKING NEWS
Park service employees could be arrested for violating property rights
By Tyler J. Baskfield, Daily Press Writer
Friday, December 15, 2000
Some National Park Service employees could find themselves sitting in the Moffat County Jail if there isn't a change in the U.S. Department of Interior policy.
Moffat County Sheriff Buddy Grinstead said a recent correspondence between Dinosaur National Monument Superintendent Dennis Ditmanson and Dinosaur Monument private land inholder Tim Mantle was brought to his attention and immediately concerned him.
Mantle had requested information from Ditmanson regarding hunting and the discharging of firearms on his private land, which lies within the boarders of the monument.
Ditmanson told Mantle the rules enforced on monument property carry over to any private land inholding within the monument.
"The prohibition on hunting within the Monument is extended to private inholdings based on the demonstrated threat of risk or harm to the Federal lands or resources, i.e., the wildlife, as well as to visitors and staff caused by the discharge of firearms," Ditmanson stated in the letter.
Grinstead believes the National Park Service staff prohibiting Mantle from hunting or discharging a firearm on his private property is a direct infringement on his constitutional and private property rights. Rights that Grinstead took an oath to uphold.
"They are infringing upon the constitutional rights and private property rights of the citizens of Moffat County," Grinstead said. "We (the Moffat County Sheriff's Department) are responsible to protect the private land rights of Moffat County residents, and if someone trespasses or commits a criminal act we will respond appropriately."
According to Grinstead, this means that if the National Park Service were to enter the Mantle ranch without Mantle's permission to try to enforce the prohibition of hunting on his private land, their actions could result in charges or citations from the Moffat County Sheriff's Department.
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