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http://www.ridgecrestca.com/articles/2006/08/17/news/news01.txtBLM notices increase in vandalism on public landsJohn D. Bennettcitydesk@ridgecrestca.comAn increase in vandalism on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management has led the agency to authorize reward money for information resulting in the identification and prosecution of suspects.“Overall, we're seeing an increase in vandalism and graffiti,” said Mike Marquart, chief area ranger for law enforcement with the BLM. While it is not uncommon for BLM signs and property to be vandalized, the vandalism has recently been spreading beyond signs and buildings to the protected lands themselves. At the Trona Pinnacles, one of the rock formations itself was recently defaced with graffiti.“This particular incident was actually of the national natural landmark itself,” said Marquart. “It's a tragedy to see something like this happen to such a landmark.”In the Poison Canyon area, which leads toward the Pinnacles, it isn't uncommon to see what Marquart refers to as local graffiti. “You know, ‘Susie likes Joe' or that kind of stuff,” he said. “But what happened at the Pinnacles was not that type of graffiti.”The recent incidents of graffiti vandalism seem to be the “tagging” sort, most often associated with gang activity, according to Marquart. He said there was another recent tagging incident at Sheep Springs.“Out in the middle of nowhere, basically,” he said. “There was a bunch of tagging on an old watering well and we also have this incident out here (Trona Pinnacles).” Marquart said he does not believe the recent vandalism was done by local residents.“Usually, the people that live in this area are pretty conscientious in my opinion,” he said. “They're concerned about the environment and the appearance of the environment. It's their public lands, it's their backyards. They kind of take some ownership of it.”Having worked in the Ridgecrest Field Office for the last five years, Marquart said the frequency, type of graffiti and remote location of the incidents was disconcerting. “In the last five years, I can count maybe one or two incidents where we had actual tagging of something in a rural location,” he said. “Somehow we have two incidents where, in the last one or two months, we've had two taggings. To me it's awfully suspicious and in general just very odd.”Marquart said there has been some recent destruction and vandalism of BLM property in the Jawbone Canyon area, but it may not be related.“Around the Fourth of July, we had some Porta Potty's down there that were vandalized,” he said. “They took something hot, I imagine it was some sort of fireworks, and burned a hole in it.” An area outside the portable toilets was also defaced by spray paint.“That's uncommon too, because we haven't had any tagging out there before,” he said.To help stem the tide of vandalism, the BLM will be offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people involved in vandalism of BLM property and public lands. “I think it's good for the public to know that,” Marquart said. “It shows we have an interest in trying to protect their public lands.”The Ridgecrest Field office is responsible for lands stretching from the California/Nevada border, into Inyo and Mono Counties as well as portions of Kern, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties. Because of the vast area they patrol, Marquart said it's important to have the assistance of the public.“It's good to bring some awareness to those who are concerned about the environment and their backyard that people are coming in and, in essence, destroying their public lands,” said Marquart. “If they see something like that, we want them to report it. Not only report it, but if they can get a description of the person, maybe get a name or a description of the vehicle and a license plate number.” Anyone with information concerning vandalism of BLM property or public lands can contact Marquart at 384-5467.
This just makes me sick! I know its not as bad up here but, the washington and Oregon representatives are wanting to adopt alot of California's way of doing things! And shutting down the wilderness is one of them! Alot of Californians are moving up here and trying to turn it into there version of California! Basically, if it has trees on it, it must be a park! They want to turn my wheeling grounds into trail hiking access only. All because they don't want to see it vandalized or ruined! All because of some stupid little punks!
toyminator2000 – There has to be dumb people in order for there to be smart people
DAMN THOSE HIPPIES!!
Started by Rocksurfer Trails & Land Use
Started by KauriJ Chit Chat Camp
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Topic: Vandalism Effects Us All (Read 3757 times)
