Wildlife refuge cleans up after militia standoff in Oregon

Facilities/Construction

Wildlife refuge cleans up after militia standoff in Oregon

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released photos showing the damage caused by militia members who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this...

Federal News Network Staff

March 25, 2016 8:06 am

< a min read

The Pacific Region office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posted photos on its Flickr page Wednesday showing the damage caused by militia members who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon earlier this year.

The occupation started Jan. 2 as a protest in support of two Nevada ranchers involved in a standoff with the government over grazing rights. A dozen individuals ended up occupying the headquarters of the refuge until early February.

Following the standoff, federal authorities searched the refuge for evidence. They discovered firearms, explosives and trenches dug near an area containing tribal artifacts, according to federal prosecutors.

The occupiers apparently excavated two large trenches and an improvised road “on or adjacent” to grounds containing sensitive artifacts, authorities said. The refuge contains artifacts and burial grounds sacred to the Burns Paiute Tribe.

Investigators found human feces in one of the trenches and spoiled food in the living quarters.

The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this story.