For Immediate Release: October 29, 2004
Contact: Mel Lloyd: 970.244.3097

Vandals strike popular BLM site

FRUITA, CO—Interpretive tactile trail signs, which feature raised letters and graphics, were vandalized in recent days at the popular Bureau of Land Management site, Dinosaur Hill.

Dinosaur Hill, located at the east entrance to Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area just south of Fruita, is the Bureau’s first trail system providing the visually impaired a safe hike while learning about the area’s rich paleontological and geological history.

“The Federation of the Blind helped create this interpretive trail for all to use, but the loss of these signs will be most felt by the visually impaired community. The thoughtless act of vandalism wastes taxpayers’ money and penalizes everyone,” said Colorado Canyons NCA Interpretive Specialist Wade Johnson.

Dinosaur Hill was adopted by the Grand Valley Chapter of the Federation of the Blind in 1997. The group worked with the BLM for over a year in designing the trail’s signs and guide system, which uses post and cable fencing. The BLM values community partnerships and, in many instances, depends on those partnerships to meet public expectations in managing their lands.

The public is asked to watch for and report vandalism on your public lands and report any suspicious activity to the BLM at (970) 244-3000. For more information on Dinosaur Hill, contact Wade Johnson at (970) 244-3047.

-BLM-

Editor’s Note: Photo available upon request. Johnson and a representative from the Federation of the Blind will be available at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 1, at Dinosaur Hill. Contact Mel Lloyd for more information and directions.