BOISE, Idaho — Illegal dumping on public lands continues to be a problem in Idaho, but recently a local citizen was rewarded $500 for helping authorities solve a case.
The Boise BLM District stretches for four million acres, but there are only four rangers patrolling the district.
"The public is truly our eyes and ears out there, without them we can't get timely reports or have successful investigations," said Ranger Jay Brown with the Bureau of Land Management.
Ranger Brown got a call back in April from a citizen who told him two men were dumping waste on Pleasant Valley Road near the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
The citizen provided a description of the vehicle and license plate information to Ranger Brown who happened to be in the area and was able to pull over the vehicle.
“The driver admitted to dumping trash out on public lands," said Brown. "The driver received a $1,000 fine and cleaned up the mess he made."
After the investigation Ranger Brown reached out to Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, an organization who launched a campaign earlier this year to promote "packing it out" from our public lands.
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers give rewards to people who report illegal public dumping and they gave the citizen who called Ranger Brown a $500 cash reward.
It's another way to help protect and preserve the millions of acres of public land in Idaho.
"In my opinion it is paramount," said Brown. "These are the lands are set aside for the enjoyment of all of us.”
