Tim DeChristopher, Environmental Prankster, "Wins Again"

The following is a statement from Tim DeChristopher, Bidder 70, who bid up prices at a Bureau of Land Management auction to keep them from being sold by the Bush Administration to oil and gas companies. DeChristopher solicited donations from the public to help him put down payments on the land he "won."

"I'm thankful to announce we have reached our initial goal of raising $45,000 for the first payment on the 22,500 acres I "won" at the BLM auction on December 19th. Most of our donations came in $10 or $20 increments from thousands who gave whatever they could during this hard economic time

I deeply appreciate the generosity of all those who have contributed to our goal. It is very encouraging for me to see how many others value the land, the climate and a participatory democracy as much as I do. This has been a reminder for me that when you stand for what is right, you never stand alone. I hope that all these partners continue to stand with me in our fight for a livable future.

My legal team and I are now prepared to make the first payment. We are waiting for confirmation from the BLM and US Attorney's office that they will accept the payment. As I have said before, it is unclear to me how the BLM or the new administration will proceed in my case. In the event that my payment is refused and 
the parcels are going to be put up for auction again, the money 
given to my Lease Fund will be used to acquire these parcels in the new auction. I think that together we value this land and the climate more than oil companies value the oil in those rocks, so we should be able to demonstrate that in any future auction.

Video of Tim (Bidder 70) winning a parcel of land:

The other possibility is that my payment is refused and the parcels I "won" are not put up for auction again because the new administration realizes their real value. In this event, I will contact the donors and ask them whether the money should be returned, used for my defense fund, or given to another active environmental cause. There has been much uncertainty in this process, and I deeply appreciate the trust shown by those who have given despite that uncertainty. I will try to keep my supporters as informed as possible and respect their input.


We are continuing to receive donations for my legal research, defense and for possible future payments which may be required on the leases. As always, I urge those who support me and my actions to join me in standing up for our future. Please join the Capitol Climate Action in Washington DC on March 2nd, and constantly seek your own opportunities to create change. Remain open to the reality that you are not helpless and the possibility that you may be your own best hope for your future."

Comments

[kae]

I love this story.

[Nutcase]

Brian Williams must be contagious. Back in November and December he had promos for NBC News touting their devotion to participatory democracy. Now this Tim DeChristopher has picked up on it.

Is there a form of democracy that is not participatory?

[Jude2004]

I donated at http://www.bidder70.org/ You can't imagine how frustrating this is for those of us who live in western Colorado and eastern Utah and actually *care* about the environment. My ancestors moved here in 1885. With almost no spare funds (I work two jobs and I'm a single mom of 2 plus an unemployed 27-year-old), I feel that my 25 bucks might make a difference.

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

Jude2004

I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that the rest of us don't *care* about the environment.

[BLinCincinnati]

There is a difference in people who "don't care" as in "well, of course the environment is important but I really don't do or think much about it every day" and those that "don't care" as in "I don't give a crap about the environment and how I'm ruining it for the future, it's all about me and making money now".

Most people really "don't care", as in the first definition listed above.

[Rosewren]

Why is this guy being branded as a prankster? It seems that label tries to cheapen what he did to stand up for something he apparently believed was very important.

[thecanadian]

Great job Tim. Proof that one person, one country can make a huge difference. Can we join you?

[niko73]

Despite the many advantages that the environment and our communities would see from Tim getting the money to purchase these leases, there is one negative tradeoff. Rural counties in energy states get a lot of tax money from energy development. Since these lands won't be developed for 10 years (the life of a lease), local and state coffers will take a hit compared to if these lands are developed. All in all, though, it's a tradeoff I'd take.

[InternationalObserver]

"Rural counties in energy states get a lot of tax money from energy development"

Can't they just legalise gambling and prostitution instead? That should offset the lost revenue.

[niko73]

Although the BLM lease sale is likely legal, that doesn't mean it was right. I thought this was a pretty cool idea and I have often wondered before why more enviros don’t bid on lease parcels. I wonder what the requirements are to bid and/or be granted a lease? This webpage has a lot of info: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/oilandgas/leasing/CO_leasing_information.html. It says this:
"Federal oil and gas leases may be obtained and held by any adult citizen of the United States. No lease may be acquired by a minor, but a lease may be issued to a legal guardian or trustee on behalf of a minor. Associations of citizens and corporations organized under the laws of the United States or of any State also qualify.

Aliens may hold interests in leases only by stock ownership in U.S. corporations holding leases and only if the laws of their country do not deny similar privileges to citizens of the United States. They may not hold a lease interest through units in a publicly traded limited partnership."

Therefore, it looks to me like Tim was a legal participant. If he doesn’t pay, the leases should be pulled. But what if he does pay? What power does the government have to indict Tim? Dude may have come up with $45,000, but he owes $1.7 million total. Robert Redford? Hello? Anybody?

[canuck4barack]

I am wondering Tim if you have heard from any politicians or celebrities who claim to be advocates for the environment? Where is Al Gore, Robert Redford, Darryl Hannah, etc. etc. on this matter? Wasn't the total amount of land sold in the auction between 4 and 5 million dollars? If so, why didn't Robert Redford just write one big cheque and donate the land to the public? After all, he spoke out vehemently against this sale and I'm sure he could afford it. It's a shame that it took someone like you to put a halt to this egregious auction, and had to risk legal action in doing so. Kudos to you Tim, you are a Saviour!

[JScott]

That's what I'm wondering. And for that matter start another fund to buy out 'failed' land development schemes to preserve open space we have plenty of em in Ca.---Quay Valley, Laguna San Luis,
Bellevue Ranch, Plumas Lakes (google em) etc.

[Mysticalsister]

where do i donate?

[AllenPapapetrou]

I found it _http://wateradvocacy.org_ which also has a link to:
_http://www.bidder70.org/_
which looks like Tim's primary web site.

[FaaLaveLave]

Donations for lease payment : Tim DeChristopher c/o University of Utah Admissions Office 201 S 1460 E RM. 250S Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9057 ...
OR
Please send checks made out to "Center for Water Advocacy". Please specify in the MEMO Field that you are donating to the Tim DeChristopher Legal Defense Fund. Mail checks to Center for Water Advocacy, P.O. Box 331, Moab, UT 84532.
I made a donation to both funds as I feel so very proud of this young man.

[Big0725]

If I were gay, I'd marry this dude. Seeing that I'm not, I offer him a hearty thank you and keep up the good work.

[BRlongview]

If you were gay, chances are you wouldn't have the legal right to marry this dude.

[The Patriot]

Good Job, Citizen.

Golly, imagine how much fun the average American could have if we all had the brass to stick our own necks on the line for the things we believe in???