The Billings Field Office of the BLM is reporting a signficant amount of damage at the Acton Recreation Area. Damages include destroyed fences used as firewood, pallets burned with dangerous nails left behind, live trees cut down, deep ruts left in roadways, abandonded campsites, and an empty contain of explosive target material.
“These careless actions not only damage natural resources but also cost taxpayers thousands of dollars by diverting funds away from site improvements to cleanup efforts, repairs, and materials,” the agency wrote on Facebook. “When visiting public lands it is your responsibility to know and understand the rules, and to be respectful of other visitors and the environment at that site by following Leave No Trace principles. If you are unsure about a specific site’s rules, please reach out to your local field office for more information.”
The agency also gives a breakdown of potential consequences for damaging the resource:
• Destruction of government property: $250-500 + value of damage
• Use of explosive targets, tracer ammunition, incendiary ammunition: $150-500
• Violating a shooting closure: $100
• Driving off of designated routes: $250 + value of damage
• Littering: $100-500
• Tree cutting where it is not allowed: $200-500
“If you have any information regarding the damage at Acton Recreation Area, please call the Billings Field Office at 406-896-5013,” the post notes. “If you ever see someone violating laws on BLM lands, please take down any information you can safely gather, such as a description of the person, their vehicle, and license plate and report it to your local field office. With your help we can keep our public lands safe, clean, and beautiful!”
Photo: Acton Recreation Area is a great place to take a bike ride. The trails offer beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Photo by Sarah Holm, BLM MT. Public domain.
Story: Facebook, BLM Montana/Dakotas
