History and Conflict at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Jan. 28, 2016 |
| Report Number |
IN10427 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946- |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
On January 2, 2016, a peaceful rally was held in Burns, Oregon, to protest legal actions against two local ranchers. Afterward, a few participants traveled to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR), which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). They took over the isolated MNWR Visitor Center (MVC). The MVC was closed, and no employees were present at the time of the takeover. The refuge, as well as federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service offices in Burns, remains closed. On January 26, 2016, federal law enforcement arrested eight participants at a roadblock north of MNWR. Another participant was killed. The following day, three occupiers surrendered to law enforcement. An arrested leader in the group has asked for the remaining occupiers to leave; according to reports, four individuals remain at the MVC. Their plans are not yet clear.
