C.O. private land owners have their own BLM issues

Some Central Oregonians dealing with the federal Bureau of Land Management say there’s more to the issue than the ones raised by ranchers occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge or supporting their cause.

“I understand they are frustrated with working with BLM. I know what they’re talking about. But the way they’re going about it, by taking over the refuge with weapons — that’s just crazy,” land owner Charles Baughman said Wednesday.

Baughman deals with the BLM for access to his residence by the Maston Trailhead north of Bend. For 15 years, he and his neighbor have been paying for access on a stretch of road leading up to their home.

“BLM has to do something about their right-of-way system. Homeowners have to pay to use the road,” Baughman said.

He said there’s a 1.3-mile stretch they pay an annual fee for that’s around $1,150.

Lisa Clark, public affairs officer with the BLM, said Central Oregon land is very intermixed. One block of land can be private and one next to it could be BLM. And those who have to cross BLM land to get to and from their property to pay a fee, and there are different systems for “casual use” and commercial rights of way.

“Under casual use, they’re allowed to drive it and they’re not allowed to do any maintenance,” said Pam Hart, a realty specialist for the BLM. “With the (commercial) right of way, they’re allowed to drive it and do maintenance and provide legal use they have access to cross BLM (land).”

For 11 years, Sage Dorsey has lived off Sage Ranch Road west of Tumalo. He said they have a right-of way agreement. They used to pay $250 every five years. Three years ago. that all changed, and now pay the annual fee of more than $1,000.

Baughman said maintenance on the road is a fee he doesn’t mind paying for, it’s the liability he’s concerned about.

“We have a commercial contract. It says in there we would be responsible for third party liability,” Baughman said. “So if someone drove across the road and got hit-I’d be liable. So I don’t like that part of it.”.

For now, Baughman and the BLM are still working out details of their contract.

“You just have to keep talking, keep working on it,” Baughman said.