Reward Offered for Vandalism at the Flume Trailhead
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VERNAL, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Vernal Field Office has partnered with an anonymous donor, in offering a reward of $2,000 for information leading to the conviction of individuals who spray painted rocks in the canyon at the Flume Trailhead.
“Graffiti is a growing problem in the basin. Restoring sites after deliberate vandalism is a complex, difficult process, and not always possible. Thoughtless actions such as these leave lasting impressions on visitors to the dinosaur country,” said Gary Torres, Green River District Manager. “The BLM is dedicated and committed to keeping public lands in a balanced condition for future generations.”
Dry Fork Canyon is known for its high concentration of rock art sites, mountain bike and hiking trails, camping, and other recreational opportunities. Recently, vandals spray-painted several boulders with bright colors near the Flume Trailhead. Clean up of the vandalism took several staff members, multiple hours, specialized equipment, and environmentally safe chemicals to remove all the spray paint.
“We grew up in this area and we think it is beautiful,” said the donor, “And we want to keep it that way!”
Vandalism of public lands and natural resources is illegal under federal law, and the potential penalties for a person convicted of class A misdemeanor vandalism include a fine of up to $100,000 or up to one year in jail. Anyone with information on vandalism in Dry Fork Canyon should contact the BLM at Utah BLM Tip Line at 800-722-3998 or the Vernal Field Office at 435-781-4400.
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.