MALHEUR Bird Resrve is one big mess!!

http://www.opb.org/news/article/malheur-refuge-manager-its-one-big-mess-/

The sandhill cranes and the red-winged blackbirds are now landing in Harney County. The snow on the hay fields is melting. Bird calls fill the air near the still-closed headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The migratory birds may not sense any difference this spring as they flock to the lakes and wetlands, but for the 16 federal employees who work at the refuge, this season will be very different from years past. 

Throughout the entire 41 days of the occupation, refuge employees were not allowed to talk on the record with reporters. Out of safety concerns, they left their homes. 

On Tuesday, for the first time since the armed takeover of the complex, refuge manager Chad Karges sat down with journalists along with refuge ecologist Jess Wenick. 

41 Days Of Uncertainty For Refuge Employees 
Karges returned to his home near Burns only a week and a half ago, after being absent through almost the entire occupation. 

“I just got Christmas decorations put away,” said Karges. “It’s never pleasant to be displaced from your home and community.”