It is not about spotted owls or desert tortoises. It is about tyranny. Ask Pam Johnson of Leeds, Utah:

Johnson’s family has been part of the Leeds community for generations and previously had a cattle operation that would graze on the public land in the area. But, in the 1990s, Johnson was forced to sell her cattle when their permit to graze was rescinded. …

At the time, the federal government ruled that cattle grazing posed a threat to the tortoise population.

Now, 30 years later, the same land near Grapevine Wash and Babylon Road is being bulldozed to make way for development, including housing, retail space, and a hotel. This development has been in the works for a decade, but zoning changes were approved in August 2024. It could double the population of Leeds.

Unlike letting cattle graze, urbanizing the area will not offend the sacred desert tortoise. Or maybe ranchers just don’t have the right friends.

On a tip from WDS 2.0.