ELKO DISTRICT OFFICE NO. 2009-05
FOR RELEASE: March 26, 2009
CONTACT: Tamara Hawthorne, Outdoor Recreation Planner, (775) 753-0356
Vandals Waste Community Money and Work
Over the past few years, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the local community have cooperated in a number of projects on public lands to enhance recreation opportunities for all. Projects included maintaining camping areas at Zunino/Jiggs Reservoir, Tabor Creek Campground, North Wildhorse Campground, and Wilson Reservoir. Monies collected from day-users and camping fees are spent on-site to provide clean campsites and install improvements such as shade shelters.
Community volunteers have supported BLM events for National Public Lands Day, a day when volunteers give their service for projects. Recent projects in the Elko area include reseeding grasses and planting sagebrush and trees for rehabilitation after a wildland fire. The Mudd Fire was reseeded in the Snow Bowl Area and hundreds of trees were planted along portions of the South Fork Humboldt River. Volunteers have also helped place signs on public lands that interpret unique areas in Elko County and that provide directions for those exploring our public lands. We are thankful for all of those that have volunteered service on National Public Lands Day.
Recently our public lands have been vandalized. Restrooms at Zunino/Jiggs Campground have been shot up; several signs have been shot in half within days of them being installed; interpretive signs in Carlin Canyon have been shot and spray painted; and trees that our community volunteers planted have been shot in half and destroyed.
Recreation facilities, amenities, and BLM administered lands are there for the entire community to enjoy. The BLM is asking for the community’s help in stopping vandalism of public property. If anyone witnesses vandalism occurring on their public lands, they are asked to please report it to the local Sheriff’s Office at 775-777-7300 or the BLM office at 775-753-0200.
-BLM-
