U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Falls BLM
Idaho Falls BLM
| Contacts: | Sarah Wheeler (208) 524-7550 |
Citations to be Issued for Illegal Burning in Sand Dune Area
REXBURG, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will no longer be issuing warnings for illegal campfires and pallet burning in the St. Anthony Sand Dune area. Continual violations and increased resource damage is forcing the BLM to crack down on individuals not adhering to this rule. Individuals found violating this regulation will be issued a citation, which is punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail.
“We are becoming increasingly concerned with the mess left behind when people burn pallets, plastics and other inappropriate materials,” said Jeff Long, Idaho Falls District Law Enforcement Ranger. “I am troubled that people don’t recognize the damage they cause when they continually violate these rules.”
Last Saturday, law enforcement officers found six illegal bonfires occurring in the area.
The BLM would like to remind the public that campfires are allowed in designated areas so long as people are burning clean fuels and are burning within a campfire ring. Materials such as pallets (which leave behind nails), plastics, rubber, treated timber, railroad ties or furniture such as couches, etc., are not appropriate campfire materials. A map of the designated campfire area is attached. Contact your local BLM office with any questions at 208-524-7500.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.