ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) — The state’s plan to buy a ranch in Eastern Oregon for wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing is meeting opposition.
The Ontario Argus Observer reports (http://bit.ly/uCL8lF ) the Fish and Wildlife Department is negotiating for the spread along the Malheur River. It has set aside $2 million in mitigation money paid by a company that built a gas pipeline from Wyoming through Eastern Oregon.
Including a lease and grazing permit, the sale would encompass more than 3,000 acres.
At a meeting Tuesday, a rancher said he didn’t trust the government as a neighbor. Another opponent called the purchase part of an effort to curtail cattle raising.
The Malheur County commissioners oppose the purchase, and a local economic development group called for a delay for more analysis.
