The Bureau of Land Management
INFORMATION
The Bureau of Land Management INFORMATION |
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Last updated: 02/02/06
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In 2005, the public service provided by the Agents and Rangers in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement program continued to be significant in protecting the diverse resources found on the public lands, as well as those individuals who visit and enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunities found on the 261 million acres the BLM manages.
The BLM’s law enforcement program has fewer than 300 personnel, including support staff. Given the large geographic area that BLM officers cover, we continue to focus on cooperating with County Sheriff’s Departments, using existing law enforcement agreements and establishing new agreements in specific Counties to address high-use recreation areas and events on the public lands. Memorandums of Understanding with law enforcement programs of other Department of the Interior agencies will also be used to protect the cultural, historical, archaeological, and paleontological resources found on BLM-managed land.
Increasing the mobility of the BLM’s law enforcement personnel will also be used extensively to support high-use recreation areas and high-visitation events. By working in cooperation with other Federal, State, and County law enforcement agencies, we will help ensure the public’s safety in those rural areas where the population increases dramatically with recreationists during given seasons and weekends and can have a significant effect on local law enforcement and emergency services in rural Counties.
In 2005, the BLM’s law enforcement Agents and Rangers continued to investigate and prosecute a wide range of cases, including the illegal digging on and theft of artifacts from public lands. In many of the cases involving the theft of artifacts, the possession or the manufacturing of methamphetamine continued to be associated with arrested suspects. On public lands this year an increasing number of marijuana gardens (containing more than 200,000 plants)—and their associated problems—were discovered. In 2005, BLM Agents and Rangers routinely investigated arson, wildland fire, vegetative and timber thefts, occupancy trespass, hazardous materials, vandalism, illegal dumping, mineral thefts, and wild horse and burro cases.
I thank the Rangers and Agents for their professionalism and their continuing service and dedication in protecting the public lands and the resources on these lands. I also thank the Federal and State law enforcement agencies, County Sheriff’s Departments, and City law enforcement officers who have continued to support us.
It has been another great year for the Special Agents in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Our Special Agents were involved in some high-profile and meaningful investigations, which are included in the various State pages of this Review. BLM uniformed law enforcement Rangers also participate, in addition to their usual patrol activities, in most of our investigations and are a vital part of our investigative efforts.
We have noticed a tremendous increase in marijuana cultivation in the States of Oregon and California over the past few years. Marijuana cultivation is now controlled by organized drug trafficking organizations that are also involved in the sale and manufacture of other controlled substances. We are cooperating with other Federal, State, and local agencies to locate and eradicate these marijuana gardens and prosecute those responsible. Our efforts have been helped tremendously by funding from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the efforts of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California and Oregon. In one operation alone we, along with other law enforcement agencies, seized more than 18,000 marijuana plants and arrested 11 people. These kinds of illegal activities on public lands threaten legitimate land uses and users, and we are determined to do everything within our power to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
Drug cultivation and manufacturing is only one facet of the numerous and complicated issues our Agents have to deal with daily. Our Agents and Rangers must be prepared to deal with anything from drug cultivators and smugglers to illegal aliens and cultural resource thieves, yet must still be prepared to respond to national emergencies.
In September, I was deployed to the New Orleans area to coordinate the Department of the Interior law enforcement response to Hurricane Katrina. It was an experience that I will always remember. The utter devastation over such a large area was difficult to comprehend. It was heartbreaking to see the personal loss and tragedy but truly uplifting to see the thousands of law enforcement officers from Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, the National Guard, and regular military that responded to help. The Department of the Interior deployed several teams, including a team from the BLM, to assist the New Orleans Police Department with law enforcement services.
I commend all of our law enforcement officers for their dedication and professionalism. Thanks again to all our partners for their invaluable help and expertise.
The past year has been another busy and productive one for the 190 Rangers of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Although the size of the workforce has remained relatively stable, the workload continues to increase, particularly in areas of urban interface and high-use off-highway vehicle recreation.
Rangers continue to focus their efforts on a variety of issues, including protecting cultural and historical resources and sites, ensuring humane treatment of wild horses and burros, eradicating marijuana, reducing the negative effects on public lands resources resulting from smuggling activity along the southern international border, preventing theft and damage of timber and native vegetation, and providing assistance to BLM Special Agents on long-term investigations.
By using a combination of public education, violation notices, and—in
some instances—arrest, Rangers assigned to high-use recreation areas are
working to reduce the number of incidents involving operation of a motor vehicle
while under the influence of drugs and alcohol and reducing the amount of environmental
degradation resulting from the operation of off-highway vehicles off designated
routes or outside of designated areas. Rangers are also teaming up with County
Sheriffs’ Deputies in some areas to reduce the amount of illegal activity
of all types, resulting in an improved recreational
experience for visitors.
With increasing populations throughout the West, one key area Rangers focus on is the investigation of incidents involving the dumping of household, commercial, construction, landscaping, and hazardous waste—a common occurrence on public lands in areas of expanding urban interface.
Twelve new Rangers graduated from the Natural Resource Police Training program
at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. Many of the
BLM graduates were recognized for exceptional achievement in academic, driving,
firearms, and physical fitness proficiency. Five of these new Rangers had participated
in the BLM’s Student Career Experience Program.
In addition to their many duties on public lands, BLM Rangers assisted the National
Park Service over the July 4, 2005, weekend with increased security at some
of the icon parks. Additionally, a contingent of Rangers spent 3 weeks providing
law enforcement and security services at Red Cross relief centers in New Orleans
after Hurricane Katrina.
I express my personal thanks to each of the Rangers for their continued hard work and commitment to protecting the public lands and resources.
Dan “Perry” McCoy is the 2005 recipient of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ranger of the Year Award. McCoy demonstrates a high degree of professionalism, cooperation, integrity, and honor and is a true asset to the BLM law enforcement program.
Ranger McCoy is constantly called on to participate in “extra-curricular” duties, representing the agency at the Annual National Sheriff’s Conference, making presentations to the Beckwourth Kids Foundation (http://www.beckwourthmountainclub.org/beckwourth), or taking on additional duties such as Supervisory Ranger, State Firearms Coordinator, “unofficial” Field Training Officer, and Assistant State Staff Ranger. McCoy exhibits the type of officer that the BLM wants to represent its law enforcement program.
One of Ranger McCoy’s strongest attributes is his ability to effectively
interact with local law enforcement personnel, non-law enforcement personnel,
and the general public. In a law enforcement environment, he has the ability
to communicate issues and garner cooperation and assistance in a way that is
both friendly and professional. Retiring Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Hotsenpiller
formally recognized McCoy by stating, “...Ranger Perry McCoy deserves
special mention…Perry consistently goes above and beyond the call to get
the job done…I greatly appreciate both his sense of humor and his quality
work….” Because of this ability, Ranger McCoy is routinely requested
to participate in special details, such as the Moab Jeep Safari. He is exceptionally
well respected among his peers, both internally and externally, and
is often called upon for his land management expertise. As one officer put it,
Ranger Perry McCoy “…is the guy you want beside you when you go
through the door….”
Ranger McCoy has taken a lead role in overseeing the monthly Law Enforcement Roundtable in Mesa County, Colorado. The Roundtable brings together representatives from all of the Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies within Mesa County to discuss officer safety issues, training, and incidents or people of interest.
Outside the law enforcement environment, Ranger McCoy is extremely effective in communicating the issues of natural resources, as well as interpreting the rules, regulations, and policies governing our public lands. When it comes to dealing with the public, McCoy is one of those individuals who possess the innate ability to correct unwanted action through both enforcement and education, in such a way that he can issue a violation notice to an individual, and then have the individual shake his hand and thank him for his insight and professionalism.
Special Agent William V. Elliott was assigned to investigate the reported theft of portions of a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) bridge in fall 2004. After contacting the Federal Protective Service, Oregon State Police, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office for leads, Special Agent Elliott determined there was a criminal conspiracy among several suspects to steal metal (specifically aluminum) and to recycle it for use in obtaining methamphetamine. After developing and recruiting a criminal informant on the case, Elliott developed probable cause and obtained and executed five search warrants, recovering most of the 4,500 pounds of stolen bridge parts, a drug lab, evidence of child pornography, and other valuable evidence.
Six suspects in the case have pleaded guilty to felony charges, including the theft of government property and possession of firearms and drugs, and have received imprisonment sentences. In addition, Special Agent Elliott’s investigation assisted the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in solving a homicide that was directly connected to the BLM theft case. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office has stated that, because of this investigation alone, residential burglaries in Linn County have decreased 70%. This investigation received extensive media attention and was a feature story on a Public Broadcasting Service television program in October 2005.
Special Agent Elliott started his Federal law enforcement career in 1974 and joined the BLM in 1990 as a Criminal Investigator in the Oregon State Office. Over the years, Elliott has been the lead investigator and case agent on many of the BLM’s most complex and long-term cases in the Pacific Northwest.
Special Agent Elliott has one of the highest prosecution and conviction rates in the Bureau’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security. A hallmark of Elliott’s work is his ability to foster interagency cooperation to assist the BLM in its resource protection mission on the public land. Special Agent Elliott is presently assigned as the Oregon–Washington Drug Enforcement Coordinator.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Alaska manages some 86 million acres of public lands covering the breadth of the Alaskan landscape, including the 22-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, the Steese National Conservation Area, the White Mountain National Recreation Area, six Wild and Scenic Rivers, and the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The law enforcement staff in Alaska is composed of two Special Agents, five law enforcement Rangers, and one law enforcement Assistant.
In 2005, Alaska’s small law enforcement staff has, as always, found itself challenged by the unique working conditions found in our “Last Frontier.” Although Alaska’s immense size and extreme environmental conditions may seem daunting, the staff is proud of its accomplishments and remains committed to its resource protection mission. We continue to work closely with our employees, our communities, our visitors, and our various law enforcement partners. Our work has epitomized what many collectively refer to as the “Team Alaska” approach.
This year, as in years past, the BLM law enforcement program has remained responsive to a number of wildland fire investigations. Our personnel have received enhanced fire training this year and have expanded coordination with the fire community. Support for critical infrastructure—specifically in regard to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System—remains strong. The Special Agent-in-Charge is a member of the State’s Law Enforcement Joint Coordination Group and remains actively involved in the development and implementation of various preventive and proactive security measures.
Extended back-country patrols, conducted even in the darkness and extreme cold of winter, continue to be one of our hallmarks. The law enforcement program continues to support special events such as the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and the Arctic Man Snowmobile Classic.
Unique investigations were conducted this year, including the resolution of the theft and exportation of fossilized mammoth ivory from the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska. This investigation, conducted jointly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was successfully prosecuted in Federal court and resulted in a multiple felony count conviction.
Special Agents and Rangers continue to investigate and resolve cases related to trespass, subsistence fraud, wildlife crimes, and permit violations. Our Federal subsistence hunts are unique to Alaska and are strongly staffed by our personnel, often with the assistance of the Alaska State Troopers. While often deep in the backcountry, our personnel remain keenly aware of responsibilities to our employees and our property. A year-long series of parking lot burglaries at our Northern Field Office was recently resolved through the skill and tenacity of a determined Ranger.
In 2005, law enforcement personnel in Arizona handled a wide variety of issues and investigations related to fire, drug use, theft of archaeological resources, and general enforcement of laws on the public lands.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement personnel in Arizona responded to approximately 90 wildland fires within the State of Arizona, with approximately 50,000 acres directly affected by fire. The largest fire in Arizona this year—the Cave Creek Complex—burned more than 140,000 acres of State, private, and Federal lands, including public lands managed by the BLM, and resulted in the destruction of numerous homes and other structures. BLM law enforcement Rangers provided security, traffic control, and other law enforcement support during the suppression of this fire.
BLM Arizona law enforcement personnel successfully worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to indict an individual on felony charges in an attempted land fraud case, completed a cacti theft undercover investigation that resulted in a felony conviction and $5,000 in court-ordered restitution, and resolved a commercial fuel wood case that resulted in a corporation pleading guilty to violating Federal law, paying $12,500 in restitution, and performing construction work valued at $40,000 on BLM projects.
Law enforcement personnel seized several hundred pounds of illegal drugs on four occasions in 2005, detained 597 undocumented aliens, and recovered 68 stolen vehicles, most of which were used in a drug and undocumented alien smuggling operation. In addition, BLM Rangers issued hundreds of Violation Notices for traffic offenses, possession of illegal drugs, illegal dumping, and violations of the Wild Horse and Burro Act; served 11 arrest warrants; responded and provided aid in 11 incidents; issued 6 citations for marijuana possession; issued 35 violation notices for excessive speed; and responded to a wide variety of crimes on public lands, including violations of the Wild Horse and Burro Act and trash dumping.
In April 2005, a BLM Ranger assigned to the Phoenix Field Office was involved in a shooting incident along with officers of the United States Border Patrol. The BLM Ranger fired his duty weapon after the suspect ran over a Border Patrol Agent whom the Ranger was working with. The agent suffered non-life threatening injuries to his hip and legs. Both suspects in the vehicle suffered multiple gun shot wounds and survived. The Border Patrol Agent has recovered from his injuries, the BLM Ranger sustained no injuries, and the suspects are presently incarcerated.
California Special Agent-in-Charge Morgan “Troy” Bolen has served in the law enforcement field for more than 16 years. He became a police officer in Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 1989, before serving as an undercover narcotics agent with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), eventually becoming a Supervisory Special Agent. During his tenure with the BIA, Bolen was instrumental in assisting with the establishment of the national DOI Watch Office. In 2004, Mr. Bolen accepted a position with the Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office as a Special Agent. During his tenure in Utah, he served as the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge on several occasions. A native of Long Beach, California, Mr. Bolen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and will complete his Master of Science degree in Justice Administration in 2006.
During the last year, California has seen a disturbing increase in large-scale marijuana cultivation cases. The California Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) task force is described on page 35. In addition, a wide array of other investigations relating to wild horse and burros, illegal weapons possession, border issues, and assault on a Federal officer continue to be issues of concern.
In one case, agents received information about the mistreatment of adopted Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wild horses in southern California. Investigation into the allegation revealed one horse so neglected the halter around the horse’s neck was penetrating its flesh. This case was accepted for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s office and is pending.
Another major activity of the California law enforcement program relates to the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, otherwise known as Glamis. During major holiday weekends in winter, as many as 150,000 visitors per weekend come to Glamis to ride off-highway vehicles (OHVs), including sand rails, motorcycles, and 4-wheel drive vehicles. This high level of visitation brings a variety of law enforcement problems, including driving under the influence of alcohol, drug and alcohol violations, and assaults and weapons violations. The BLM continues to work with OHV groups and other partners to promote a message of safe OHV use. Because of the location of the southern area of the Dunes on the United States–Mexico border, additional issues have been identified regarding stolen OHVs, smuggling operations, and other border problems.
The BLM continues to work with local Sheriffs, as well as other State and Federal agencies, to meet its law enforcement objectives on the public lands. In California, the BLM has 29 signed agreements with Counties, an additional 4 pending, and 17 other agreements in place with other State and Federal agencies.
Of the many issues facing the California law enforcement program, the most critical at this time is the number of Ranger vacancies. Rangers are the first point of contact with the public. They are the most visible symbol to the public of this agency’s commitment to its public lands. Presently, there are 24 Ranger vacancies in California, which will severely affect law enforcement efforts and Ranger workload in fiscal year 2006. This office will continue to support the State Field Managers in their efforts to acquire the requisite funding to fill these positions.
In 2005, the Colorado–Eastern States law enforcement program provided investigative and patrol support to about 8.33 million surface acres and 66.7 million subsurface acres of public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the Colorado and Eastern States Region. Within Colorado, Rangers patrol about 700,000 acres of public land per officer. In many areas, resource managers would like to reduce the amount of patrol area to provide more visibility to areas of greater need. Special Agents located in Lakewood and Grand Junction, Colorado; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Jackson, Mississippi; provide investigative assistance to those Rangers.
High-use recreation areas account for the highest increase in law enforcement activities this year. Public interest in outdoor activities has increased, including off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, mountain bike riding, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, white water rafting, target shooting, and other outdoor activities. Additional recreation use has been spurred on by the BLM’s attempt to provide more recreational opportunities on public lands. The primary issue of concern is OHV; in most areas, OHV use is restricted to existing roads and trails and limited use during inclement weather. However, a few areas do not have such restrictions, and operating an OHV in a way likely to cause resource damage is still of concern. Travel management plans are being developed statewide, and law enforcement contacts are generally able to obtain public compliance with BLM and State OHV regulations.
Illegal outfitter and guide services conducted on BLM-administered lands are
a growing problem in Colorado. Failure to obtain a Special Recreation Use permit
for these services is severely dealt with by the Office of the United States
Attorney. In one example, a subject was providing outfitting service on public
land without a permit. The subject was a repeat violator and had paid a collateral
forfeiture fee in November 2004. After providing a guided mountain lion hunt
in February 2005, the subject pleaded guilty to a Lacey Act violation (Class
A Misdemeanor) and was fined $12,000, with $4,000 suspended for 1 year. Pursuant
to the plea agreement, the subject is restricted for 1 year to vehicular travel
only on all BLM-administered public land in the State of Colorado and only on
those roads maintained by County, State, or Federal agencies.
Annually, the Colorado–Eastern States law enforcement program administers
about 45 wild horse and burro adoptions, either at the Colorado State Correctional
Facility in Cañon City or at various locations throughout Colorado and
the 31-State area of the Eastern States region. About 3,500 wild horses and
burros are adopted each year through the adoption programs. During fiscal year
2005, more than 2,100 wild horses and burros were adopted through Colorado–ES.
All violations encountered by law enforcement personnel were handled through
criminal processes. Law enforcement assistance to the program coordinators generally
consists of locating suspected violators of the Wild Horse and Burro Act and
the Bureau’s Preventive Care and Maintenance Agreement.
Fire trespass (human caused) is another significant role Special Agents play in Colorado. Three investigative cases—the Brush Mountain, Carr Creek, and Mee Canyon fires—have been accepted by the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver for prosecution. The law enforcement role is significant in seeking cost reimbursements for fire suppression.
In fiscal year (FY) 2005, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement program in Idaho consisted of a Special Agent-in-Charge, one State Staff Ranger, six law enforcement Rangers, a Staff Assistant, a Student Career Experience Program student, and a newly acquired Special Agent. With a diversity of issues and a minimum of officers for the vast 12 million acres of BLM land in Idaho, the program has been able to adapt by coming together as a team, sharing resources, and employing law enforcement agreements with local law enforcement agencies. To make sure the work was accomplished, Rangers investigated cases in addition to their patrol duties, and the State Staff Ranger and the Special Agent-in-Charge assisted Field Offices, in uniform, during high-use weekends.
In addition to helping each other within the State, BLM officers from Idaho spent about 50 working days out of State supporting other BLM programs and events, assisting with events at the Imperial Sand Dunes and Dumont Recreation Areas in California, the Burning Man event in Nevada, annual law enforcement in-service training, Archaeological Resources Protection Act search warrant service in Oregon, as well as marijuana eradication. In return, Idaho received about 25 days of Ranger assistance from other States. Law enforcement details have proven to be an invaluable management tool for high-use visitation occurring on understaffed districts or field offices.
In FY 2005, efforts were increased at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area to combat alcohol- and safety-related violations. The Idaho Falls District continued to fund a $25,000 Challenge Cost Share agreement with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office to patrol public lands. The Office of Law Enforcement and Security funded an additional $10,000 agreement for the Sheriff’s Department to help BLM with alcohol- and OHV-related violations in and around the sand dunes and purchased two ATVs for Rangers to more efficiently patrol the area. BLM Rangers now work hand-in-hand with County Deputies, whose combined efforts have resulted in more than 300 incidents for 2005. The County and the BLM have reported that the area is now becoming less of a “party” spot and more of a family OHV destination.
With large tracts of public lands and one of the smaller law enforcement programs in the Bureau, the BLM law enforcement staff in Idaho relies heavily on assistance from Sheriffs’ Departments to help patrol public lands. In FY 2005, there were 30 active law enforcement agreements totaling $286,500 to reimburse local agencies for their assistance. Agreements cover public land patrols, special events, drug and alcohol enforcement, and the purchase of specialized equipment. All of the money expended on these agreements has shown a direct benefit to public lands and BLM’s visitors.
In March 2005, the Twin Falls Field Staff Ranger responded to a report of two individuals burning copper wire on public lands. The burning of copper wire is a growing trend on public lands—individuals burn the casing off the wire and sell the copper to recycling companies, leaving behind hazardous materials and high costs for cleanup. The Ranger apprehended the suspects while attempting to leave the area. The case is pending, and cleanup and testing costs were estimated at $5,000.
In November 2004, Idaho law enforcement officers investigated a timber theft case that occurred on public lands near Mountain Home, Idaho. The suspect ultimately admitted to the theft of approximately 250,000 board feet of timber and must reimburse the BLM $42,000.
Law enforcement personnel in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota handle a wide array of protection and enforcement activities on public lands. One major issue of continual concern is archaeological resource protection. A new task force has been formed with the Wyoming law enforcement program and several outside agencies to address the issue (see page 33). Other major issues in the area involve oil and gas activities, issues related to grazing, major events on public lands or adjacent to public lands, and northern border issues.
Public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota are rich in cultural and paleontological resources. Signs of prehistoric humans date back thousands of years. Most cultural resources are centered on historical civilizations of American Indians that wandered the region in search of great buffalo herds that existed before the 1900s. The expedition of Lewis and Clark and subsequent conflicts with white settlers involving traditional Indian lands provide most of the documented cultural history of the area. Indian wars with the U.S. Government during the late nineteenth century left behind an abundance of evidence and artifacts portraying the early life of humans in the Montana–Dakotas region. BLM personnel curate and maintain some BLM collections of artifacts and dinosaur fossils in museums throughout the region.
The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail signature events throughout the region have kept Rangers busy assisting local police departments with traffic and event planning. BLM law enforcement officers will be active during the week-long celebration at Pompey’s Pillar National Monument in June 2006.
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held every August in Sturgis, South Dakota, concentrates 500,000 people near BLM-managed Ft. Mead National Recreation area. Extra Rangers are made available to assist in managing the extra traffic and crowds in the area. The Rangers write dozens of tickets and make several arrests during the weeklong events. The high-visibility law enforcement presence has been very successful in deterring negative effects on natural resources during the event.
In one significant case, telephone bomb threats were made to the Miles City Field Office against its oil and gas operations. The case was investigated and a suspect was identified. BLM agents referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s office in North Dakota. The defendant pleaded guilty to Making Threats by Wire in Interstate Commerce— a felony—and was sentenced to 2 years in prison.
Livestock roundups or impoundments pose one of the more challenging and sensitive activities of BLM law enforcement officers. On rare occasions, some grazing permittees abuse their public land privileges and the BLM is forced to take action. In spring 2005, the BLM conducted one of the only impoundments known in Montana. After several years of trespass and abuse by the permittee, the BLM cancelled the permit. BLM Rangers referred the case to Federal court and the rancher pleaded guilty to trespassing. The rancher paid several thousand dollars in restitution and lost his grazing lease on public lands.
This past year, the BLM has taken an active role in northern border security concerns. The BLM and Canada have 65 miles of adjacent borderlands. A new Ranger was hired to patrol sections of the border and coordinate with other border agencies. BLM officers have become regular members of the Prairie International Border Enforcement Team. New agreements with the Canadian Mounties were also established in 2005.
In Nevada, about 48 million acres of public land are administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These lands comprise 68% of the State. Resources are diverse and range from traditional uses, such as grazing and mining, to recreational demands and societal problems that accompany rapid population growth.
During fiscal year 2005, the Nevada law enforcement program consisted of 27 law enforcement officers (LEOs), a Special Agent-in-Charge, a State Staff Ranger, 2 Special Agents, a Chief Ranger, 5 Field Staff Rangers, 6 Resident Rangers, and 11 Patrol Rangers. During the year, the Nevada law enforcement program entered into five law enforcement agreements with Federal, State, and local agencies to assist in the protection of public lands in Nevada.
Nevada manages three National Conservation Areas (NCAs), including Sloan Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, and Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails, in addition to several wilderness areas. Sloan Canyon and Red Rock Canyon are located near Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon receives about 1 million visitors a year, and the nearby Sloan Canyon NCA receives increasing attention. This year, BLM LEOs issued about 872 citations and conducted or assisted in 48 felony arrests at the Red Rock and Sloan NCAs.
Nevada manages the largest permitted recreational event on BLM-managed lands
within the Black Rock Desert NCA. This year the 10-day Burning Man Festival
drew approximately 35,000 participants to the Black Rock Desert. The BLM law
enforcement program assigned 57 LEOs to work at the event, through out-of-State
details and County–State law enforcement agreements. BLM LEOs issued 218
citations and arrested six persons during the 2005 Burning Man event.
Nevada also manages a major off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreational site, the
Sand Mountain Recreational Area in Churchill County. Over the past 15 years,
recreational use has tripled to more than 60,000 visitors a year. During 2005,
the BLM law enforcement program assigned about 40 LEOs to work at Sand Mountain
(8 to 12 LEOs on each major holiday weekend), through out-of-State details and
County–State law enforcement agreements. BLM LEOs issued about 200 citations
and arrested one person at the Sand Mountain Recreational Area.
The Nevada BLM has obtained land conveyance authorities under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act enacted in October 1998, as amended. This Act encourages the BLM to sell land in an open, competitive process, so the Federal government receives fair market value and generates the greatest return for the taxpayer. As a result of the funds generated through the Act, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service, the Nevada BLM law enforcement program hired six law enforcement Rangers to work in a 25-officer, multiagency land management task force in Clark County.
Other major cases conducted by the Special Agent cadre include two long-time livestock grazing trespassers convicted criminally in Federal court; four suspects convicted criminally in Federal court on hazardous materials violations; the ongoing trespass investigation of the Union Pacific Railroad in southeastern Nevada, which involves 2,000 acres of public lands and has been estimated as a $12 million issue; three ongoing Lacey Act violation investigations concerning illegal outfitters or guides; and four ongoing grazing trespass investigations. In northern Nevada, the BLM provided a Special Agent to the Truckee Meadows Wildland Fire Arson Task Force, which is investigating 20 arson fires, 7 on public lands.
Major focuses of the BLM law enforcement program in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas in FY 2005 have included archaeological resource crimes; desecration of historical graves; theft of government property; wildland arson; theft of petroleum products and damage to production sites; resource damage and threats to public safety related to drug and alien smuggling across public lands adjacent to the International Border with Mexico; unlawful acts related to wild and free-roaming horses and burros; Unlawful Occupancy of Public Lands; and a broad range of recreation-related offenses.
New Mexico has a wealth of archaeological and historical sites throughout the State, including the well-known prehistoric Anasazi and Mimbres cultures, numerous other prehistoric Native American sites, as well as remnants of Spanish Colonial activities and historic military forts and battles. Investigations conducted in 2005 have included looting and trafficking of historical and cultural artifacts related to all of the above-mentioned cultures. Some individuals have been convicted, other charges are pending, and still other cases are nearing completion of the initiation of Federal and State charges.
A significant increase was seen in illegal activities related to the United States–Mexico border in New Mexico, and more than 60% of that border is composed of public lands managed by the BLM. In response to the resource and public safety effects of this situation, a Special Agent position from Carlsbad, New Mexico, was relocated to Las Cruces, New Mexico, and a Ranger position was added in Deming, New Mexico, to be co-located with Federal, State, and local border-related agencies in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area office in Las Cruces.
The BLM has experienced several significant thefts of administrative property this year, including a travel trailer used as a field crew office and two sets of cadastral survey Global Positioning System equipment. Together, these thefts total more than $30,000. To date, investigative efforts have recovered $15,000 of the cadastral equipment.
Considerable patrol and investigative effort has been focused on the theft of petroleum products and theft and vandalism of oil field equipment related to fluid minerals production. Joint investigations with local authorities in 2005 have led to several arrests, and State charges are pending against these individuals. These investigations have also uncovered a variety of other offenses involving drugs and archaeological resources.
New Mexico law enforcement personnel have investigated many instances of improper treatment of wild horses and burros, as well as various violations of Maintenance and Care Agreements regarding animals adopted through BLM programs. Many of these cases have resulted in Federal or State felony and misdemeanor charges.
In April 2005, during a special event in the Farmington area, a BLM Ranger encountered a vehicle stuck in a ravine. The occupant provided the Ranger with false information; a consent search of the vehicle led to the seizure of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and the subsequent arrest of the individual. Further investigation by the Ranger provided information that the suspect was a fleeing felon with multiple outstanding arrest warrants.
In another case, a local Game and Fish officer was flying over public lands when he reported to the Las Cruces Ranger that he had observed someone harvesting ocotillo plants. The Ranger promptly responded to the area and contacted a person who was collecting the plants for his nursery business. A total of 65 ocotillo and 5 barrel cacti were seized from the subject and he paid a $250 fine.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement program in Oregon–Washington is tasked with providing patrol and investigative enforcement on 16 million acres of surface land and 39.9 million acres of subsurface land. The majority of crimes occur in remote and isolated areas.
This year, BLM Rangers and Special Agents in Oregon–Washington initiated action on 3,062 reported incidents, including the issuance of 405 Federal citations, 262 State citations, and 578 written warnings. These officers also initiated 110 arrests and served 32 search warrants. Overall, these incidents documented a damage to or loss of resources or government property in the amount of $500,000. In 2005, Oregon–Washington recorded 123 incidents of theft of timber, firewood, or forest products; 110 drug-related violations involving cultivation of marijuana, drug lab manufacturing, or other dangerous drug violations; 555 incidents involving littering, dumping, and abandoned property; and 664 recreation-related offenses.
Oregon–Washington Office of Law Enforcement and Security completed three substantial investigative enforcement actions in 2005. The first case highlights the investigation of a criminal conspiracy to steal metal and recycle it for cash. In fall 2004, the BLM Salem District Office reported the theft of portions of a BLM bridge. The six suspects stole 4,500 pounds of aluminum, which was then recycled for scrap metal. The profits were then used for the purchase and manufacture of methamphetamine. As a result of the investigation, several search warrants were served and six persons were arrested, indicted, and convicted on Federal felony charges. In addition, a homicide related to the theft was solved, and child pornography charges were brought against one of the suspects. The investigation, led by a BLM Special Agent, was conducted over a period of several months and involved BLM Rangers from the Salem District, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
The second major case, Operation Bring ’Em Back, focused on the illegal removal and trafficking of Native American human remains and cultural artifacts from public land. The operation, a 2-year joint investigation with the U.S. Forest Service Region 6 Law Enforcement and Investigations Office, resulted in the serving of 26 Federal search warrants in central Oregon in January 2005. In addition, the investigation produced many local spin-off investigations into the possession and sales of illegal drugs—primarily methamphetamine, the illegal possession of firearms by felons, and the possession of illegally taken wildlife. Six persons have been indicted and arrested on Federal felony charges and more are expected as a result of this investigation.
The third major investigative activity was Operation Prairie Dog, focusing on the cultivation of marijuana on public land in eastern Oregon. This operation was a joint effort by the BLM with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Oregon State Police, Oregon Air and Army National Guard, and the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office. The operation resulted in the seizure of 18,860 marijuana plants and the arrest of seven persons.
In 2005, the Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement program was tasked with a variety of law enforcement issues associated with the management of more than 22 million acres of surface area and more than 33 million acres of subsurface area on public land. The main investigations and activities pertaining to the Utah law enforcement program were related to recreation, paleontology, archaeology, and fire investigations.
Utah has an unprecedented number of recreational opportunities available to the public on lands administered by the BLM. As a result, the BLM law enforcement program was continually challenged with the management and safety of the public during annual events located in Moab, Little Sahara, Coral Pick Sand Dunes, and Monticello, as well as several unscheduled events located throughout the State. Recreational sites in Utah are national and international focal points, and the industry continues to see increased activity each year. For example, Utah BLM is among the top three States in visitation (nearly 6 million visitors in 2004), fee collection, number of sites managed (400), and number of Special Recreation Permits issued.
Utah has several significant and pristine archaeological sites throughout the State. These sites include the Anasazi complex at Grand Gulch, rock art at Nine Mile Canyon, Newspaper Rock, and the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. There are also many high-value Anasazi sites throughout the southeastern corner of the State. During the past year, BLM law enforcement officers conducted several Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) investigations and, as a result, seven persons were charged with ARPA violations throughout the State. In addition, several charges are pending that pertain to ARPA vandalism and theft investigations.
Fossil theft investigations continue to be a high priority in Utah. The fossils contained on land administered by the BLM include the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry and the Morrison Formation. These areas contain significant numbers of high-value dinosaur fossils, and nearly all of the known Allosaurus specimens in the world were obtained from the Morrison Formation in central Utah. BLM Special Agents are conducting two separate Allosaurus fossil investigations that involve international consignees and destinations. Allosaurus specimens are presently being sold for more than $500,000 on the black market, which is one reason that fossil theft is attracting national and international attention. For example, in late 2004, representatives from National Geographic magazine interviewed several members of the Utah BLM law enforcement team in regard to fossil theft. Representatives from the magazine also accompanied the BLM team to a fossil theft site, and a photograph of the vandalized area was featured in the prestigious magazine’s May 2005 issue.
The Utah BLM law enforcement program continues to work closely with the Affirmative
Civil Enforcement (ACE) program at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt
Lake City. The ACE program has been extremely successful in obtaining recoveries,
settlements, and judgments associated with fire investigations and other resource
violations pertaining to BLM losses since the program’s inception in 1997.
For example, on June 30, 2005, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of
Utah, filed a $4,090,194.11 complaint against a defendant for allegedly causing
a wildfire on land administered by the BLM.
In June 2005, two Iron County residents were sentenced to 5 months in prison
and 5 months of home arrest for shooting nine wild horses. Both men pleaded
guilty to one felony and two misdemeanors as a result of the investigation.
To date, it is the first felony conviction of anyone in relation to the Wild
Horse and Burro Program.
The Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement program deals with a wide range of resource issues, with the majority of the investigations and incidents related to paleontology, archaeology, wild horses, minerals, vegetation, and off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
One of BLM Wyoming’s unique programs is paleontology. Discovered in 1997, the Red Gulch Dinosaur Track Site is the largest in Wyoming and one of only a few worldwide from the Middle Jurassic Period. The tracks are 160 to 180 million years old. In 2005, there were incidents of people trying to dig up the tracks. Wyoming also has large dinosaur fossils and one of the largest concentrations of small fish fossils in the United States. This past year BLM conducted investigations of vandalism and theft at the Track Site and many investigations of theft of dinosaur bones and small fossils The June 2005 Wyoming Wildlife magazine contained an article about fossil theft from public lands and discussed in great detail two past cases of fossil theft from BLM land in Wyoming.
Wyoming has several significant archaeological sites throughout the State and the most miles of undisturbed emigration trail of any State. Four National Historic Trails have more than 60% of the mileage in the State under BLM stewardship. Wyoming contains the best intact trail remains left in the country, which include emigrant etchings, American Indian petroglyphs, and original wagon ruts. Vandalism of the trails and sites is a problem. The BLM is presently investigating the theft of archaeological and paleontological resources that occurred over several years.
Wyoming has more than 3,800 wild horses in 16 Herd Management Areas. Law enforcement personnel have investigated a variety of cases involving everything from wild horses that were shot and killed to adoption violations.
Wyoming has a lot of open space, and the BLM plays a key role in supporting the State’s second most important industry—tourism. Public lands in Wyoming provide recreational opportunities for the region and the Nation. The BLM in Wyoming sees 2.3 million visitor use days, which is 4.6 times the entire population of the State. These visitors contribute $126 million annually to Wyoming’s economy through hunting- and wildlife-related activities, camping, and recreational pursuits. Off-highway vehicle violations are one of the biggest recreation issues facing Wyoming law enforcement.
In early June 2005, a person notified BLM personnel in the Worland Field Office (WFO) of an American Indian grave and dinosaur fossil site he had found. The WFO personnel determined these areas were on public lands in Washakie County. In an interview, the suspect made admissions concerning the excavation and removal of dinosaur fossils from BLM land in 1998. The suspect voluntarily consented to the search and seizure of 30 dinosaur fossils and a sketchbook containing sketches of the site drawn by the suspect. In a second interview, the suspect made admissions concerning the excavation and removal of additional dinosaur fossils and artifacts from public lands. The suspect voluntarily consented to the search and seizure of nine more dinosaur fossils, two displays of artifacts, and one artifact tool.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for the oversight of oil and gas activities on Federal and Indian lands with the exception of Osage Tribal lands. “Federal” lands constitute more than 30% of the land in the United States, presently providing more than 25% of the Nation’s oil supplies and nearly 38% of its natural gas supplies.
BLM law enforcement personnel work closely with local BLM oil and gas inspectors to enforce the objectives of the BLM oil and gas Inspection and Enforcement (I&E) Program, which include protecting the environment, public health, and public safety; ensuring the proper verification of production reported from Federal and Indian lands; theft of oil and gas products from Federal leases; and compliance with lease terms and conditions including drilling, production, well plugging, and abandonment. This authority is derived from the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982, and the Indian Leasing Act of 1938.
To achieve these objectives, BLM law enforcement personnel have taken the following actions within the last 18 months:
In northern New Mexico, the BLM law enforcement program is part of a countywide, rural crime initiative, funded in part by the oil and gas industry, to respond to an increase of theft and vandalism in the oil patch. This task force is run by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, and the BLM law enforcement program has recently committed $40,000 to assist their efforts. A joint training is planned for spring 2006 with the Western States Sheriffs’ Association to promote similar activities throughout the West.
New Mexico BLM Rangers and petroleum engineers have developed new tools such as the “Super Thief”—a device used to measure illegal loads of drip fuel in produced water tanks, and have provided training to more than 600 industry truck drivers and local law enforcement personnel to enhance enforcement of oil and gas regulations. In spring 2005, New Mexico BLM Special Agents and Rangers participated with the New Mexico State Police in a surveillance operation involving theft of equipment from mineral leases on Federal land.
In Oklahoma and Texas, the BLM Special Agent and Ranger have worked oilfield transport checkpoints with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, as well as both the Texas and Kansas Departments of Public Safety. At these checkpoints, the State agency makes the stop and, if the contents originate off Federal lands, the BLM Agent checks the manifest for accuracy and accountability. Oil purchasing equipment is inspected and transport drivers are interviewed for compliance with BLM regulations. Loads of produced water are gauged and color-cut to see if they contain more than the 1% allowed by law.
In Oklahoma, BLM law enforcement personnel are involved in a joint investigation
with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ) in the release—without a permit—of 166 truckloads
of drilling mud from Federal lands onto private lands. In early September, the
Oklahoma BLM Special Agent, in conjunction with the Oklahoma DEQ, provided training
to all field oil and gas personnel on what to look for when dealing with environmental
crimes.
Montana BLM law enforcement Agents are presently working an investigation with
the Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General involving theft
and fraud as it relates to oil and gas development on Indian lands.
Growing populations throughout the West continue to discover the freedom of the more than 261 million acres of public lands that the BLM manages. There is an unprecedented demand for outdoor recreation opportunities, areas, and services, resulting in an increasing challenge to the BLM law enforcement program. One of the driving factors in the increased recreational activity is the uniqueness of our western landscapes. With vistas of stunning natural beauty, the scenery and recreation sites are national focal points for activities such as mountain biking, climbing, river running, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation, viewing cultural resources, and backcountry use. Public lands literally compose the backyard for many, and BLM law enforcement personnel are experiencing the many challenges associated with enforcing Federal laws and ensuring the safety of the public.
Recreation is an important socioeconomic base for many communities. For example, nearly 60% of the economy of Moab, Utah, is based directly on recreation and tourism, 45% of the jobs in Moab are recreation- or tourism-related, and 45 recreation businesses in Moab depend directly on public land to sustain their livelihood. Utah BLM is among the top three States in visitation, fee collection, number of sites managed, and number of special recreation permits issued. As a result, intense scrutiny of the recreation program is received from an active environmental community and other user groups. There is a large workload demand on BLM personnel associated with litigation and appeals.
One of the major challenges for BLM law enforcement personnel is the public’s interest in OHV recreation on lands administered by the BLM. This is coupled with evolving OHV technology that makes it possible to access the most fragile lands, resulting in increased controversy concerning OHV use. While motorized users are demanding high-quality experiences on scenic, well-managed lands, there is continual conflict between land users and environmental groups and damage to resources from OHV use.
The law enforcement program also provides security and safety support to many annual permitted recreation events held across the West, ranging from trails events to the National ATV [all-terrain vehicle] Jamboree, from triathlons to the week-long Burning Man Festival.
The following are among the major recreational programs managed by the BLM:
National Landscape Conservation System: The lands in the National Landscape Conservation System demand a commitment to visitor services and safety. National Conservation Areas, National Monuments, wilderness areas, and wilderness study areas make up these vast lands.
Off-Highway Vehicles: Growing OHV use is especially prevalent at special recreation areas in California, Nevada, and Utah, as well as across the public lands of the West. The Sand Mountain Recreation Area in Churchill County, Nevada, the Glamis dunes in the California Desert District, and rock crawling in Moab, Utah, draw a huge number of people from the surrounding metropolitan areas and across State lines for major holiday weekends. Over the past 15 years, recreational use has tripled on the public lands, and the effects from increased OHV use continue to challenge resource managers. The use of OHVs is of special concern in the protection of sensitive endemic species.
Special Recreation Permits: Nevada issues more special recreation permits than any other State. One large, unique event, Burning Man, has a weekly population of more than 35,000 participants. The BLM continues to receive an increasing number of permit requests, which further increases the need for special event monitoring. In other States, special event permits on public lands also require additional law enforcement presence. The Riggins’ Rodeo in Idaho is an example of a rural town that plays host to several thousand extra people for the duration of the event, drawing visitors from across the State.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing an estimated 4.5 million cultural and historical sites. The protection of these sites is a major law enforcement emphasis for the Special Agents and Rangers of the BLM. When you consider that BLM has approximately 230 officers nationwide (that’s 1 million acres each to patrol or investigate), this is an enormous undertaking, especially considering that a majority of these sites are located in remote, isolated, and unprotected areas.
One of the most prevalent crimes committed on BLM land is the vandalism and theft of paleontological, archaeological, and cultural resources. Theft not only harms the scientific community, but also deprives school-age children, students of archaeology and anthropology, and the American public of the opportunity to observe, learn from, and enjoy the beauty of fossils and ancient art. Almost every State in the West has some form of these historical resources. Many of the most well-preserved fossils are located on public land, where the scientifically significant geologic context is shown to much better effect than on private lands. Discoveries have included fossils from the largest dinosaurs to the smallest mammal.
The BLM has successfully prosecuted many significant criminal cases throughout
the years. In 2005, there were 89 investigations of violations of the Archaeological
Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA), the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and other Federal laws that prohibit the illegal
possession, removal, theft, or trafficking of human remains or cultural or historical
materials. However, even with these successes, BLM law enforcement personnel
realize that more needs to be done.
A new bill under consideration in Congress would be the first law concerned
solely with the protection and preservation of paleontological resources. The
BLM supports the passage of the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act.
As this Law Enforcement Year-End Review went to press, the bill had passed in
the Senate and was pending in the House.
Regional and Local Task Forces
Although many States have had success in investigating and prosecuting
paleontological thefts, suspects do not necessarily operate in just one State
or only on BLM land. Fossils are often illegally sold to international consignees
and are extremely difficult to bring back to the United States. The BLM participates
in several task force groups regionally or locally to coordinate and track these
cases. In 2005, a task force was formed between BLM law enforcement agencies
in Montana and Wyoming, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the National Park Service
(NPS), and several local Sheriff’s offices. The WYMONT ARPA/Paleo Task
Force was developed to better investigate and protect significant archaeological
and paleontological resources on Federal land in south-central Montana and north-central
Wyoming. Many acts of resource vandalism and theft have occurred in the area
over the years, with little or no success in prosecuting the violators. The
Task Force discusses incidents in the area, shares intelligence on known or
suspected ARPA/Paleo thieves, and shares methods for better investigating and
preventing future thefts. This coordination strives to prevent duplicate investigations
and help identify suspects. Meetings are presently ad hoc, and the group continues
to incorporate new members to better enhance investigative efforts.
In southern Nevada, an ARPA task force has been formed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the USFS, and the NPS, which has received $50,000 in court-ordered payments to date by convicted violators to further the activities of the task force.
The Four Corners ARPA Working Group, consisting of the BLM, USFS, and local authorities in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona, conducted an investigation of crimes occurring in Grants, New Mexico. Originating with the trafficking of a priceless pair of prehistoric human hair woven leggings, the case expanded to include drug and weapons violations. On February 16, 2005, the second of three suspects was sentenced in U.S. District court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This individual pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 11 years and 3 months in Federal custody. At the end of December 2004, a codefendant pleaded guilty in State court to residential burglary, disposing of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, probation revocation, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was sentenced to 15 years and that sentence was suspended in favor of 5 years of supervised probation and $20,000 in restitution. Federal charges are pending against a third subject, and the government has regained custody of the priceless artifact stolen from public lands approximately 20 years ago.
In Oregon, “Operation Bring ’Em Back” focused on the illegal removal and trafficking of Native American human remains and cultural artifacts from public land. The operation, a 2-year undertaking with the USFS Region 6 Law Enforcement and Investigations Office, led to the serving of 26 Federal search warrants in central Oregon in January 2005 and the recovery of Native American human remains and thousands of artifacts. This investigation produced numerous local spin-off investigations into the possession and sales of illegal drugs (primarily methamphetamine), the illegal possession of firearms by felons, and the possession of illegally taken wildlife. Six persons have been indicted and arrested on Federal felony charges and more are expected as a result of this investigation.
Significant Activities Throughout the West
In 2005, BLM Colorado law enforcement personnel conducted several investigations
pursuant to the Antiquities Act, ARPA, NAGPRA, and violations of damaging government
property. Those investigations recorded more than $110,000 in damages, with
small amounts ($2,500) of site rehabilitation restitution paid to the government.
During two paleontological investigations, suspects were identified as habitual
users of methamphetamine. They used proceeds from the sale of the archaeological
resource to purchase more of the drug. Special Agents are presently working
two cases for prosecution, which they will pursue with local District Attorneys
or the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In summer 2003, a series of museum thefts involving Indian artifacts and cavalry era firearms were reported by seven Montana museums within 1 week, with the thefts occurring during daylight hours. BLM officers assisted with the investigation and identified an individual from San Diego, California, as the suspect. Montana and California BLM and local officers conducted a search warrant on the suspect’s home in San Diego and found many pieces of evidence associated with the thefts. Shortly thereafter, the suspect confessed to the thefts and began returning items. He also agreed to pay $65,000 in restitution. The suspect died suddenly during the plea negotiations, but his family paid the restitution and returned most of the artifacts. This case represents the extra coordination and expertise BLM law enforcement personnel are able to provide to small communities.
On April 28, 2005, a joint investigation conducted by BLM New Mexico officers, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), resulted in the service of a search warrant in Peralta, New Mexico. This case involves the illegal exhumation of the remains of Civil War era soldiers from public lands and the trafficking of those remains and associated artifacts. In the course of this ongoing investigation, officers have recovered human remains, documents, and related artifacts.
In September 2005, one individual pleaded guilty to violating provisions of the ARPA for the theft of a basalt boulder with approximately 35 individual petroglyphs carved on its surface and weighing more than 6,000 pounds. The subject was sentenced to community service, forfeited the truck used in the commission of the crime, and agreed to pay $25,000 in restitution. A second person who refused to enter into plea negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office was indicted on multiple felony violations of Federal law. Pictures of this boulder have been published as important examples of prehistoric Native American rock in BOR and archaeological publications. This investigation was the successful result of interagency cooperation with the BOR and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department.
One of the most pervasive issues on public lands today is the cultivation of marijuana and the associated illegal activities of growers. The States of California, Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon–Washington have seen the most widespread cultivation in 2005.
As of September 25, 2005, more than 151,000 marijuana plants had been eradicated from Bureau of Land Management lands in California, leading to 24 arrests and the seizure of 12 weapons. Evidence left at the sites shows that most of the cultivation sites were run by Mexican nationals. In northern California, BLM Special Agents teamed with State, local, and other Federal agencies early in the year to identify persons responsible for several cultivation sites on public lands. Through sophisticated investigative techniques, agents were able to locate and identify suspects involved in all aspects of these cultivation operations.
Upon the culmination of this year’s activities, BLM collaborated with the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) to help eradicate the plants. Led by the California Department of Justice, CAMP is a marijuana eradication task force. Plants are eradicated and arrests made when suspects are located in the garden. To date, three of seven identified gardens have been raided, netting more than 12,000 marijuana plants. In addition, a search warrant was executed, netting six arrests, six handguns, $4,000 in cash, and 5 pounds processed marijuana. Leads acquired during the 2005 investigation will be extended into next year’s growing season with the aim of identifying upper-level accomplices.
Colorado has also identified illegal drugs as a high investigative priority for law enforcement. In 2005, illegal marijuana cultivation was detected on the public lands through strong partnership efforts with the BLM, County Sheriffs, and the Colorado National Guard. Colorado personnel obtained a Felony Grand Jury Indictment on one subject for cultivating marijuana on BLM-administered land. The subject pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 18 months incarceration to be followed by 3 years of supervised probation. During the 2005 growing season, 3,100 plants or 300 pounds of cultivated marijuana were removed from Colorado’s public lands during annual marijuana overflight operations. Because of the sparse nature of the 30,000 surface acres of public land in the Eastern States, no known cannabis cultivation sites or activities have been reported.
In April 2005, Idaho law enforcement officers began working with the Oregon BLM program in an ongoing marijuana cultivation case on public lands in both States. The case evolved into the discovery of marijuana cultivation sites in eastern Oregon and western Idaho. The Idaho site, which contained 6,000 plants, was eradicated in July by BLM, Owyhee County, and Idaho State Patrol officers. In September, BLM officers from Idaho and Oregon took part in a multiagency eradication operation that was responsible for removing 16,000 marijuana plants from public lands in eastern Oregon.
Vacancies for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement positions can be found at www.usajobs.opm.gov. There are several ways to search for jobs on this Web site. The most common methods are to search by job series or agency. Ranger positions are in occupational series 1801 and Special Agent positions are in series 1811. If you are interested in applying for one of the positions listed in USAJOBS, you can link directly to BLM’s QuickHire system.
QuickHire, located at https://jobs.quickhire.com/scripts/blm.exe, is BLM’s on-line application system. QuickHire enables you to check for available jobs with BLM; you can also create, edit, and archive your resume and apply for jobs on-line. Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) vacancies are occasionally listed on this site, but law enforcement SCEP positions are filled at the Field Office or State Office levels through outreach efforts at colleges, universities, organizations, or BLM events.
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