Show S BY CHARLES R. R R ALLRED DISTRICT RANGER Vandalism on National Forest land has always been a problem to some degree For some reason reason reason rea rea- son or another this undesirable activity has Increased the past few years Shooting holes in forest improvements seems to tobe tobe tobe be great sport Forest signs recreation sanitation facilities and garbage cans make prime targets This activity is a definite definite definite nite safety hazard as well as destruction of public YOUR property Signs are cut down and picnic tables chopped up and used for fire wood Theft of government property is also becoming a serious problem The following is a good example of this undesirable type activity For the past few years the boy scouts of Gunnison Centerfield Centerfield Center- Center field and Mayfield have been tubing down the old road leadIng leading leading lead- lead Ing to Twin Lakes This site was undesirable because of ob obstructions obstructions obstructions ob- ob trees and other unsafe un unsafe unsafe un- un safe conditions Therefore an alternate site had to be found Last fall Sanpete County Commissioner Eugene Jensen executive secretary to the Sanpete Sanpete Sanpete San San- pete County Indus Industrial trial Development Development Development Develop Develop- ment Committee Lenn Lean Jensen and myself searched for fora a more suitable area It was decided that the north facing hill In Pinchot Campground would be excellent Obstructions that would threaten the safety of the users was absent and the hill bill was steep and long enough to afford a good ride It was therefore therefore there there- fore agreed that If the county would keep the road open use could be made of the hill for tubing The tubing run was a big success Many people enjoyed the sport and beauty of the area during the snowy month But there But there were some fortunately only a small percent percent percent per per- cent that regarded the isolation of the area an opportunity to deface and destroy Some Som of the damage noted this spring after a winters winter's use was the the sanitation facilities facilities ties of the campground were shot full of holes Golden Eagle ticket display boxes were completely completely completely com com- destroyed through the entire campground the Forest Service storage garage on the north side of the campground was broken Into and fire supplies supplies supplies sup sup- plies stolen concrete barrier posts were removed from the area and nd unloaded on the east eastside side sida of paper straw and warming fires were scattered all allover over the area a juniper tree en on the tubing tubing tubIng tub- tub Ing hill was set on fire and andr r r r consequently killed garbage can lids scattered on the tubing tubing tubing tub tub- ing hill This type of disregard for public YOUR property is expensive ve It sometimes necessitates necessitates necessitates restrictions on use of public land and only because of a few who think It Is smart to destroy The damage and andun- andun unconcern un unconcern un- un concern shown this past winter in Pinchot presents this very serious question Can we continue continue continue con con- this type of use when the price is so high It is not only the responsibility responsibility of the Forest Service but that of everyone to see that our National Forests are kept clean attractive and safe for forthe forthe forthe the enjoyment of everyone for all time If you know this type of action is taking place please report it to your local Forest Ranger or the county sheriff Thank you |