Property rights issues heat up conference

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Former Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth-Hage rallied Texas property owners during the recent Southwest Landowner Conference in Austin. -- Staff photo by Taylor

May 26, 2005 - "We are truly at war … but grassroots will win the war … and nothing can overcome the strength and courage of the American people!" said Helen Chenoweth-Hage.

Speaking to a group at the Southwest Landowner Conference in Austin on May 13, Chenoweth-Hage explained her beliefs that the U.S. government imposes great challenges on landowners concerning their privately-owned property.

Chenoweth-Hage, who retired after three terms, represented the First Congressional District of Idaho in the U.S. Congress from 1994 to 2000. She spoke concerning government agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Interior, who have been known to come on private property, round up cattle, sell the cattle and then keep the money … completely ignoring the property owner and his rights, all in the name of protecting the environment and endangered species.

Obviously, the conference room full of landowners, who are members of groups such as Stewards of the Range, Liberty Matters, and the American Land Foundation, did not think kindly of government agencies that seem to ignore the rights of landowners, at the expense of landowners.

When the U.S. Congress passed the Environmental Species Act (ESA) things changed for landowners across the United States. Even if a landowner had a deed to his land, the "government could take it, anyway," explained Chenoweth-Hage. By 1995, the Congress decided it might be necessary to "fix" the situations created by the ESA and pay something for the property taken, but there is an on-going battle in Washington, D.C., to "reauthorize the ESA" in it's entirety.

It seems that maintaining an environment for wild and native animals, fish and other species is more important than the fact that the property is privately owned. Led by key Republican leaders, the push is on to "modernize and strengthen" the ESA so "it can become a more effective tool for recovering threatened and endangered species," stated Rep. Greg Waldon (R-Oregon).

Specific mention has been made that, according to the experts, "property rights" are out and "conservation" is in. Although the ESA laws were up for "reauthorization" in 1993, landowners have made so much noise over losing their own, deeded property that the renewal of the law has been stopped for the last 12 years.

Chenoweth-Hage noted associations have formed, all over the United States, to stop cattle confiscation. She said unless there is a court order, the sheriff of each county is the only one who can stop the confiscation, legally, in his/her own county. She said some of the government agencies continue to "get by" with their actions because they "assert their pressure" on landowners and citizens in the area.

"Moral courage is more important than government threats," explained Chenoweth-Hage. "We're interested in freedom … not social status."

Throughout her address, Chenoweth-Hage quoted: "We win and they loose!"

She said that "real cowboys" will win the war for private property ownership because they believe with their hearts, minds, and in the "strength of character and moral code."

As far as public land in which the government does have an interest, Chenoweth-Hage expressed that although the property can be taken, they must compensate the owners, correctly.

In closing, Chenoweth-Hage reminded the crowd of landowners that "we're all in this, together … it's time we take it (property rights) back … and, right is right."

She spoke of President Abe Lincoln who talked about what the American nation can and will endure for the rights of its people, and believed that American property owners will still fight for the American rights granted by the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

"Stand up and speak out … stand together … fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Like Lincoln said, '… just do the right thing.'"