Federal court orders opening of gates on Teaters Road as access legal dispute continues
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A federal district court issued an order on May 17 requiring Waibel Ranches to allow the public and the government the use of Teaters Road, the Bureau of Land Management said Wednesday. The BLM's Prineville District said it "is pleased to announce that the gates blocking Teaters Road were opened on Wednesday, June 1st, and will remain open, in line with the federal court’s order."
Teaters Road provides a direct connection between Highway 380 north to the BLM North Fork Crooked River area and the Ochoco National Forest. These areas provide numerous recreational opportunities and are important for timber production. Teaters Road also provides the only public access to a 160-acre “island” parcel of BLM-administered public land.
“Maintaining legal, public access to public lands is important to the BLM,” said acting District Manager Mike Decker. “The court’s order restores public access to well-loved recreation destinations and important timber production areas.”
The ability of the public to use Teaters Road will be welcome news for those affected by the temporary closure of the Forest Service 42 Road, the BLM said in its announcement.
Despite the order and gates opening, the access dispute that dates back eight years is not over. BLM Prineville Public Affairs Officer Kaitlyn Webb confirmed that the "litigation is still ongoing."
The Prineville District of BLM said it appreciates the support it has received from both the public and many key partners throughout the effort to restore access to Teaters Road. Those partners include the United States Attorney’s Office, Ochoco National Forest, Crook County Court, Oregon Hunters Association, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The public is reminded to be respectful when using Teaters Road to access the federal public lands. Teaters Road is bordered by private land owned by Waibel Ranches. Members of the public should drive slowly and be mindful of the presence of cattle, the BLM said.
How come when the timber companies block access to public grounds, it’s totally ok and they will fine the living daylights out of you, using the county sheriff which they pay to patrol their lands just for such reasons. I asked my State Rep about it, and she blew it off and said it was an agreement between the public and the timber companies for road maintenance “or something like that” she says
“Make lawyers rich again” rotflmao!!! Waibel ranch employing classic trump kook strategy and reaching the same totally failed outcome.
It maybe called Waibel Ranches but it’s Les Schwan’s granddaughter. Surprised they haven’t thrown more $$$ at it.
The areas are closed during timber operations for very obvious reasons
These areas I speak of are closed year round, leaving blocks of public ground land locked year round
Too bad Deschutes NF won’t force that doctor to reopen FS Road 4606.
We need to get these same shareholders involved. The FS is dragging their feet and allowing this theft of public lands to continue.
For the first time ever, I agree 100% with non-deplorable. The Forest Circus needs to re-open the Brooks Scanlon Road, aka #4606 RD.
We just have to keep pushing… sounds like we might have a chance.
I agree that 4606 should be open. The difference is that 4606 being closed isn’t blocking access to any public land islands. Everything is still accessible, it is just a bit more inconvenient to get to is all.
The road closure does not block access to Public lands
True, it just causes people to go through more combustible areas
While I agree with this road being opened – it is up to us, the public, who will use this road to keep it clean and left the way we find it. I grew up on a ranch that used to allow public access. When we got tired of picking up the garbage that was left, closing the gates that were left open, and finding the livestock that got out because of the gates we locked the public out also. The difference is nobody needed to go through us to get anywhere.
Jeff and his Husband like the drive and they can afford to make it happen. They often ask when will these redneck inbred idiots realize we do what we want. California is here