Vandals strike Birch Knob, High Knob recreation sites

The U.S. Forest Service seeks the public’s help in reporting and preventing vandalism and other damaging behavior at Clinch Ranger District sites.

Ranger Michelle Davalos reported Jan. 29 that illegal off-road vehicle use near Birch Knob Tower and Mullins Pond Road in Dickenson County has damaged natural resources.

Using vehicles off designated roads tramples plants and erodes soil, which potentially degrades water quality, Davalos noted. Motor vehicles licensed under Virginia law for general operation on public roads are authorized for use only on designated national forest roads. Motorized vehicle use off-road is prohibited.

Also, vandals recently damaged one of the two signature boards at the High Knob observation tower, according to Davalos. The boards were installed when the new tower was constructed to give visitors a place to leave their mark without defacing the rest of the tower. The vandalism means that many of the signatures and quotes left by visitors the past few years have been lost.

Further, forest visitors and employees have been finding trash, including piles of household garbage, dumped in forest recreation areas. Any form of trash creates a health and safety hazard for people, pets and wildlife.

“It is unfortunate that our limited staff and dollars must be diverted from maintaining our recreation sites to address the damage caused by those who choose to litter and vandalize our forests,” Davalos said.

Call forest service law enforcement officer David Ford, at 276/679-8370, extension 225, to report any activities that damage public lands. Purposely damaging public resources could result in fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. Additionally, please practice “Leave No Trace” and “Pack it In, Pack it Out” principles when you’re visiting a national forest.

Contact the Clinch Ranger District office in Norton, 276/679-8370, for more information.