Doc’s Beach damage remedied by Eagle Scouts, Rancher, BLM
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VERNAL, Utah – When individuals commit acts of vandalism, not only are they breaking the law, but the public pays for their irresponsible behavior. The BLM is working with the public, volunteers, and partners to restore the Doc’s Beach Recreation Area and prevent vandalism in the future. While most public land users are good stewards of their public lands and resources, the few who cause damage create problems for everyone.
In the last few years, vandals intentionally damaged facilities around Doc’s Beach Recreation Area on multiple occasions. Vandals spray painted graffiti, dumped trash, and cut fences on public land and the neighboring Rancher’s private land. The vandals drove through areas closed to vehicles, destroyed vegetation, and caused significant damage to the facilities at Doc’s Beach. They cut fences which gave cattle uncontrolled access to nearby North 2500 West Street and put drivers’ lives at serious risk.
BLM Vernal staff and managers are working with the local community to address the vandalism at Doc’s Beach. Two local Eagle Scouts led a project, the BLM supplied materials and staff, and a number of people volunteered to be a part of the solution. The Eagle Scouts, Slade Henderson and Ryan Crow, led efforts to rebuild over a mile of damaged fencing.
“We are very grateful to the 29 scouts and 15 adults who assisted with the efforts to restore Doc’s Beach,” explained BLM Vernal Field Office Biological Resources Branch Chief Deej Brown. “They replaced an H-brace that had burned in a wildfire several years ago, restrung wire, and replaced T-posts that were damaged due to vandalism and the fire in the area.”
If you have information about past vandalism or if you see vandalism or misuse of public lands around Vernal, please report it to law enforcement at (435) 789-2511.
BLM-managed public lands provide a variety of recreational opportunities for users to enjoy, but acts of vandalism take those resources away and negatively impact visitors’ experiences. American taxpayers paid the bill for materials to repair the illegally cut fences, painting supplies to cover graffiti on the public restroom, and the BLM staff time involved in the effort.
The BLM encourages public land users to practice Leave No Trace principles when visiting public lands. The principles can be found online at www.lnt.org/7-principles.To see photos of the Scouts’ work at Doc’s Beach, visit the BLM’s Flickr album https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHWt31q .
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.