OUTLAW â€" Colville National Forest officers are looking for tips in the case of a four-wheel-drive vehicle that left deep marks in a restored meadow this month.
After the meadow had been torn up by “mudding†enthusiasts a few years ago, Forest Service crews worked to smooth and restore the seasonally-wet area with natural vegetation.
“It was almost 100 percent rehabilitated, before this,†said Franklin Pemberton, forest spokesman in Colville.
The damage apparently was done during the April 18-19 weekend in the meadow northeast of Colville on the Longshot Mine Road which is off the South Fork of Mill Creek Road.
Crews that responded to the earlier incident installed a wooden fence and a posted sign so it was obvious that vehicles are prohibited in the meadow, he said.
“All was well, for a couple years,†Pemberton said. “But a full-size vehicle drove over the sign and through the fence to go out and destroy this nice meadow.
“Damage is extensive. We are seeking any information anyone may have related to this incident.â€
Report any tips on this or any other mudding damage in the Colville National Forest at (509) 684-7177.
Incidentally, Colville forest officers recently succeeded in an investigation that led to a conviction on a mudding case from 2013, Pemberton said.
“This incident occurred off of the Middle Fork Calispel Creek Road and three individuals were involved. Two individuals paid the full restitution amount of $2,559.35 to repair the meadow and a third paid $1,500 and was banned from the national forest for one year.â€
A reward is offered by the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers for tips that lead to convictions in illegal off-road driving incidents on public lands.
