Federal Luddites still refusing to allow power tools in wilderness

Since last we visited the topic in March, not much as changed for the people of Tombstone, Ariz., except the temperature.

The townsfolk this past weekend had to trek into the natural springs that feed the wooden town’s drinking water and fire hydrants and work on fixing the springs, damaged in a fire, with hand tools. No power tools, not so much as a wheelbarrow, are allowed in the wilderness controlled by the Forest Service. It is a dogma defiant of common sense and common decency. But that’s what you get with bureaucrats.

Here is a news report on what they had to do:

To add insult to injury, someone spotted a rare spotted owl in the burned out trees, which might further delay repairs.

Newsmax reports:

“The 26-mile pipe was left vulnerable by wildfires last year that destroyed acres of vegetation and left hillsides denuded and susceptible to mudslides. But now the U.S. Forest Service says the owl, which was thought to have been driven out by the fire, must be protected.

“The feds banned heavy construction equipment, CNN said, but a group calling itself the Jarbridge Shovel Brigade (might sound familiar to Nevadans) was toiling on the pipeline by hand. All was going well until this week when a confirmed sighting of the owl put even that effort in doubt.

“The Forest Service had already made itself unpopular among townsfolk when supervisor James Upchurch was asked in court, ‘What is more important, owls or the people of Tombstone?’ and he responded that there was no easy answer.

“The town has already asked for an emergency injunction to allow the work to continue, which went all the way to the Supreme Court, where it was turned down.”

In order to avoid disturbing a predator bird’s nap, some are willing to let a whole town of people be destroyed. Priorities?