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Letters to the Editor

Public lands aren’t for personal gain

A man stands guard after members of the “3% of Idaho” group along with several other organizations arrived at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. A small, armed group has been occupying the remote national wildlife refuge in Oregon to protest federal land use policies.
A man stands guard after members of the “3% of Idaho” group along with several other organizations arrived at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. A small, armed group has been occupying the remote national wildlife refuge in Oregon to protest federal land use policies. Rick Bowmer AP

The armed trespassers who have occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., are no different from the gun-carrying pot growers who are occupying large sections of our national forests and parks.

They have no legal right to be there. They pose a serious threat to all law-abiding citizens. Public lands are created for everyone to use, not just for the few who seek their personal financial gain and use the threat of violence to ensure their success.

Susan Case, Nipomo

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Public lands aren’t for personal gain."

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