Robbins case: Right to exclude, extortion at issue
Wilkie vs. Frank Robbins Case: Wyoming rancher refuses to grant BLM a right-of-way across his private land
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
February 28, 2007
The United States Supreme Court will convene on March 19, 2007, to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit examining the scope of a property owners’ right to exclude others from private property, as well as looks at extortion.
The federal government wanted an easement across Wyoming rancher Harvey Frank Robbins’ land. When Robbins would not give it to them, they cancelled his right-of-way across surrounding federal property. When that tactic did not work, certain BLM employees began a multi-pronged campaign of harassment aimed at coercing Robbins into handing over the easement and punishing him for insisting on his right to be compensated for giving the government a property right in his land.
To learn all the details about the case, read the detailed accounts compiled by Pinedale Online reporter Cat Urbigkit.
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Main Story: Robbins case: Right to exclude, extortion at issue
Wilkie v Frank Robbins Case: Wyoming rancher refuses to grant BLM a right-of-way across his private land
December 4, 2006:
From ranch to sacred halls: Budd-Falen to argue in nation’s highest court
January 31, 2007:
Right to exclude argued
February 20, 2007:
Brief for the Respondent - Robbins Legal Response (60 pages, 321K PDF)
February 28, 2007:
Robbins case: Campaign of harassment detailed
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Amici Curiae (Friend of the Court):
Others in support of Frank Robbins’ side of this case
Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and Nevada Grazing Board
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association represents ranching interests in Oregon. It exists to promote environmentally and socially sound industry practices, improve and strengthen the economics of the industry, and protect industry communities. The Nevada N-6 Grazing Board represents the interests of federal and other public lands ranchers in Nevada. The board advocates on their behalf to ensure that livestock grazing remains a viable use of the federal lands.
Oregon Cattlemen (159K PDF)
BRIEF OF THE OREGON CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION AND NEVADA N-6 GRAZING BOARD AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENT
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New Mexico Cattle Growers Association
New Mexico Cattle Growers Association Legal Brief (32 pages, 168K PDF)
BRIEF OF THE NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION, NEW MEXICO FEDERAL LANDS COUNCIL, NEW MEXICO WOOL GROWERS, INC., GRANT COUNTY CATTLEGROWER’S ASSOCIATION, COALITION ARIZONA/NEW MEXICO COUNTIES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND WYOMING PUBLIC LANDS COALITION AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING RESPONDENT
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Pacific Legal Foundation
An amici curiae (friend of the court) brief supporting Harvey Frank Robbins was filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, the Washington Farm Bureau and the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation.
Pacific Legal Foundation (24 pages, 110K PDF)
BRIEF AMICUS CURIAE OF PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION, WASHINGTON FARM BUREAU, AND WYOMING FARM BUREAU FEDERATION IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENT HARVEY FRANK ROBBINS
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Paragon Foundation
An amici curiae (friend of the court) brief supporting Harvey Frank Robbins was filed by the Paragon Foundation, Inc. a New Mexico non-profit organization created to support and advance the fundamental principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States of America. The Paragon Foundation, Inc. advocates for individual freedom, private property rights, and limited government controlled by the consent of people. The Paragon Foundation, Inc. has several thousand current or former members nationwide.
Legal Brief of the Paragon Foundation Inc. (12 pages, 86K PDF)
BRIEF OF THE PARAGON FOUNDATION, INC. AS AMICUS CURIAE SUPPORT OF RESPONDENT
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Public Lands Council
An amici curiae (friend of the court) brief supporting Harvey Frank Robbins was filed by the Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Wyoming Public Lands Coalition, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, as representatives of ranchers and cattlemen throughout the United States.
Legal Brief of the Public Lands Council et al (28 pages, 114K PDF)
BRIEF OF THE PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL, NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION, WYOMING PUBLIC LANDS COALITION, OREGON CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION, AND NEVADA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING RESPONDENT
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