Sisters bird enthusiast disgusted by refuge occupation

At least once a year, Jim Anderson of Sisters visits the place he calls “the most beautiful place in the world.”

Recently, the world has learned a great deal about that place. The Malheur National Refuge was thrust into a national spotlight when a small armed group took over the preserve’s federal headquarters more than a week ago.

The group, mostly from outside of Oregon, said it’s taking back the refuge and its lands for “the people.” Its consistent message claims group members are restoring the Constitution and standing against the overreaching thumb of the federal government to protect the locals of Harney County.

A majority of the small, conservative community, the sheriff, governor and several agricultural and environmental groups have condemned the occupation of the refuge.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge attracts thousands of people each year to the nearly 190,000 preserved acres that serves as a home or resting place for more than 320 species of birds.

Anderson, 87, is a member of several Oregon bird groups, including the East Cascades Audubon Society.

He said his love for birds started as a child when, ironically, he shot and killed an owl. and his grandfather made him pluck and eat it.

Since then, he’s spent much of his career, and all of his retirement dedicated to wildlife conservation. Some of his favorite memories of his children growing up are trips to the refuge.

“Malheur, for me, is a great place of peace,” Anderson said Tuesday. He added that seeing the refuge under siege “hit me straight between the eyes.”

“It’s complete nuts they have the audacity to preach to us about the Constitution — and they’re breaking the laws,” he said.

The bird enthusiast offered several other choice words to describe the occupants, but said he doesn’t have a problem with responsible cattle ranching.

“I love hamburger, I think it’s good for roast, and so forth,” Anderson said.

It’s also part of the larger picture behind the crisis outside Burns and other rural areas. Ranching is a staple in Eastern Oregon. In Harney County, more than 75 percent of the land is under federal management.

At several recent community meetings, ranchers and others said federal management — like grazing restrictions — is not only crushing their way of life, but also hurting the environment.

It’s a political struggle over land stewardship with roots all over the U.S. Many credit the head of militant group, Ammon Bundy, with bringing the issues to greater light.

Although political leaders, like Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Harney County Judge Steve Grasty said they strongly disapprove of the occupation, both are using the platform to urge more local control of federal lands.

Anderson said he hopes Bundy soon will be brought to justice and charged with numerous crimes. As for the refuge, he plans to visit it this spring.

“When I get out there, and the sandhills (cranes) are there, and all the other shore birds are there, it’s a sight and sound that speaks to me,” Anderson said.

A spokeswoman for the Harney County Chamber of Commerce told NewsChannel 21 Tuesday that bird-watching in the area is growing in popularity. The chamber reported tourism rose 14 percent in 2015.