Date: October 1, 2003

CONTACT: Jamie Thompson at (775) 623-1500

BLM OFFERS REWARD TO CATCH LOVELOCK CAVE VANDALS

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca Field Office is offering a reward of $1000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for vandalism at the Lovelock Cave recreation site southwest of Lovelock, Nevada. "Lovelock Cave is an archaeological site of national importance that has been repeatedly vandalized since last spring," says BLM Archaeologist Peggy McGuckian. "It is tragic the way a few people have damaged the improvements at the cave. In the last several years BLM has improved the parking area at the cave, erected a new kiosk with interpretive signs, constructed an interpretive trail, and put in a toilet building. These improvements and others have been made to better serve the public when they visit the cave," explains McGuckian. "Thousands of years ago native people lived along the shores of nearby Humboldt Lake and used the cave to store supplies – 2,000-year-old duck decoys, the oldest in the world, were found there. The thoughtless acts of vandalism carried out at Lovelock Cave indicate a level of disrespect for a place of importance to the Paiute people and all Americans that is incomprehensible."

Since last May, vandals have scratched and gouged the large interpretive sign in the parking area, attempted to move or destroy the picnic table, attempted to burn down the kiosk structure, destroyed a section of the interpretive trail, and rutted the surrounding natural landscape with unauthorized off-road vehicle use. "Constructing and maintaining improvements at recreation sites is expensive – and it's the taxpayers' money," says Terry Reed, Field Manager of the Winnemucca BLM Office. "When maintenance costs due to vandalism become too great we can be forced to remove improvements or to close sites and we do not want to do either at Lovelock Cave. The Bureau is proud to do its part to tell the important story of Lovelock Cave and we hope to continue to do that. That's why we are asking members of the public to keep their eyes and ears open and to report any suspicious activity relating to vandalism at the Lovelock Cave recreation site and along the Back Country Byway between the Pershing County Museum in the historic Marzen House in the City of Lovelock and the cave to BLM or local law enforcement."

To report suspected vandalism at Lovelock Cave or the Byway and to potentially become eligible to receive the $1000 reward being offered by BLM, call (775) 623-1720 or the BLM Law Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-521-6501.

For further information about the Lovelock Cave recreation site, including how to work as a volunteer, please contact Lynn Clemons or Peggy McGuckian, at the Winnemucca BLM office at (775) 623-1500.

- BLM -