BLM, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recognize citizen’s help in dumping case
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BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing the resolution of an illegal dumping case on public lands. The waste was discarded south of Boise along Pleasant Valley Road, a primary access route to the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
Last April, a citizen contacted a BLM Law Enforcement Ranger to report the dumping of commercial waste of public lands, providing detailed information. The citizen’s report, along with evidence found at the dump site, led investigators to an individual who worked for a local construction company.
When BLM Law Enforcement contacted the individual, he admitted to dumping the trash. The defendant ended up cleaning up the commercial construction waste and paying a collateral fine of over $1,000.
In coordination with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), the BLM provided BHA with information about the citizen who reported the dumping. The BHA subsequently offered the citizen a cash reward of $500.
“This citizen's report was instrumental in enabling the BLM to resolve this case,” said Boise District Supervisory Law Enforcement Officer Stan Buchanan. “If not for this person’s action, the dumping likely would have remained unsolved.”
“We also want to thank the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers for their continued support in conserving and protecting public land,” said Buchanan.
“When lawbreakers trash our public lands we all lose,” noted Ted Koch, an Idaho-based North American board member for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “As public land owners, it’s our duty to help our public land managers care for and police our lands.”
To encourage this, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is offering up to a $500 reward to individuals who report illegal off-road activity or dumping that leads to a conviction. Koch added that earlier this year, BHA launched BHA’s Public Land Pack Out campaign, a competition aimed at ridding public lands and waters of more than 1,000 bags of garbage. The BHA invites people who enjoy the backcountry to leave it just a little better than they found it.
Dumping of any kind is prohibited on public land. Citizens who witness trash dumping or graffiti on public lands are asked to call BLM Law Enforcement at 1-844-327-5572 with information.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.