Miles City Field Office
| Contacts: | Contact Mark Jacobsen 406-233-2831 |
BLM Seeks Information on Recent Vandalism
The BLM Miles City Field Office is seeking information regarding the recent destruction of federal property located at the Matthews Recreation Area.
A section of the concrete vault toilet was crushed rendering one side of the building inaccessible and shingles were torn from the roof of the shelter in the picnic area.
Damages will likely exceed $5,000 according to Recreation Planner Dena Lang, who oversees the area.
The incident occurred sometime during the evening hours of April 12 and an investigation is ongoing.
"It's really frustrating and extremely disheartening; it's a great recreation area for our community and when someone damages the area, it's sad and senseless,” said Lang. “It hurts the public who enjoys going there and hurts the taxpayer who pays to replace damaged facilities."
Punishment for those convicted of destruction of federal property may include fines of up to $100,000 and-or up to one year imprisonment. Montana Code 87-2-112 states that “A holder of a Montana resident or nonresident fishing or hunting license or camping permit convicted of littering campgrounds, public or private lands, streams or lakes while hunting, fishing or camping shall forfeit the license and privilege to hunt, fish, camp, or trap within Montana for a period of 1 year from the date of conviction.”
The public is needed to help reduce vandalism by immediately reporting any illegal activities to the BLM, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks or the local sheriff by calling 233-2800 or 1-800-TIP-MONT.
Key information needed is: the date, time, location, license plate number and a description of the vehicles and persons involved. The identity of anyone providing information will remain confidential.
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. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. 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.
Miles City Field Office 111 Garryowen Road Miles City, MT 59301