Efforts to protect public lands in Uintah County are gaining attention as local officials and state lawmakers address vandalism and illegal dumping on popular trails. These issues affect areas that many residents use for recreation, such as hunting, camping, and riding.
The Uintah County Commission took action last year by adopting an ordinance to create the Stop Vandalism Fund. This fund was established through a cooperative agreement with the State of Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. The program is financed by off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation funds and targets incidents of vandalism and illegal dumping along or near designated OHV routes on public lands.
Rewards for reporting violations are determined by the severity of the offense: $250 for minor graffiti or small dump sites, $500 for larger cases, and up to $1,000 for major dumping or significant damage. The program has an annual budget of up to $10,000 from OHV recreation funds to encourage reporting and accountability.
At the state level, Representative Stewart Barlow has introduced legislation to establish a fund dedicated to repairing damaged natural and historic sites while promoting conservation efforts. According to Rep. Barlow, “vandalism of natural and historic features — including formations like hoodoos and culturally significant sites such as petroglyphs — appears to be increasing every year.”
Local officials emphasize that most people who use these public lands care about their preservation. Programs like the Stop Vandalism Fund provide a way for responsible trail users to help protect these areas. Residents are encouraged to report any vandalism or illegal dumping along trails by contacting Uintah County Dispatch at 435-789-4222.
These initiatives aim to keep Uintah County’s public lands open, accessible, and maintained for future generations.
