Tucson Field Office
| Contacts: | Diane Drobka | , 928-348-4403 | , Diane_Drobka@blm.gov |
Recreation Site Temporarily Closed
Tucson, Ariz. - Due to significant health and safety risks, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tucson Field Office has temporarily closed the Shores Recreation Site, located along the Gila River north of Winkelman in Gila County.
The Shores Recreation Site is managed by the BLM to provide recreation opportunities and is used by the public for camping, picnicking, fishing, birding, river floating, and other recreational activities. Unfortunately, the grounds at the Recreation Site have become contaminated with human feces and toilet paper left on the ground by visitors.
“As soon as we saw the scope of the problem, we realized that immediate action was needed,” said Brian Bellew, BLM Tucson Field Manager. “We needed to protect the public from the health dangers that are present there.”
Human feces and contaminated materials may contain microorganisms and pathogens, including Giardia, fecal coliform bacteria, and hepatitis, that pose a public health hazard. Public use in the affected area exposes visitors to these biological hazards, which are known to cause illness and chronic disease, and may be fatal. The risk will continue unless immediate management action is taken, therefore it was necessary for the BLM to close the area prior to its cleanup.
The use restriction will help reduce public exposure to the health hazards, while the BLM remedies the problem and evaluates ways to prevent its recurrence. Gates will be locked to restrict vehicular access to the area and signs will be installed to inform visitors of the closure. The BLM will initiate an extensive cleanup of the Shores and anticipates the site will be reopened after the hazards are alleviated, which is planned to occur by September 4. “We are trying to make sure the site is open on the busy Labor Day weekend,” added Bellew. “We hope that those using the site will keep it clean so that we are not faced with another closure and cost to the taxpayers for the cleanup.”
The Christmas Recreation Site, located upstream, will not be closed. If you have any questions about these areas, contact Francisco Mendoza at 520-258-7226.
The BLM manages more land - 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Tucson Field Office 12661 East Broadway Tucson, AZ 85748-7208