HACKED BY CYBER-ATTACK - ALPERENBTN

FlakMan

"Padre Island National Seashore has charged three adult men with driving off-road and damaging the park’s natural resources; their identities have not been released and are described by National Park Service rangers only as a man, his brother, and his nephew. The three will be prosecuted in Federal Court and possibly held for civil damages as well.
The charges stem from an incident that happened shortly after midnight in the early morning of December 18. The three men had come to camp in the National Seashore and, for unspecified reasons, decided to drive their vehicles, consisting of a pick-up, two Chevrolet Blazers, and an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) over the dunes in the area of the park’s 12 mile marker. The driving caused extensive damage to the dunes and destroyed vegetation over a mile-wide area. Investigating rangers indicated that the violators confessed to knowing off-road travel within the National Seashore is illegal. Witnesses who wish to remain anonymous reported the offense soon after it occurred to National Park staff.
In addition to having numerous signs posted stating that off-road driving is illegal, the National Seashore also warns against off-road driving in many documents distributed to the public and in several places on the Seashore’s website (www.nps.gov/pais).
One of the rangers investigating the incident said that while she was examining the scene many visitors came to express their dismay at what had happened and were visibly upset that anyone would so extensively and deliberately damage the dunes. Some of the visitors at the scene took photographs of the damage and later posted them on a local website.
Randy Larson, Chief Ranger and head of the National Seashore’s Protection Division, added, “it is unfortunate that there are those who would come to the park to spoil this spectacular setting.” The National Seashore endeavors to protect the dunes from the impacts of driving. Vegetation is critical to anchoring the dune structure and if destroyed the wind will quickly scour a trough through the dune field."
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Ahh sand between my toes!

Hec fish · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:04 am Post subject:

I'm glad they got busted Exclamation

I think other than lots of fines,the should do lots and lots of community service around PINS.Maybe revoke their D.L. Exclamation

Where are the pics of the damaged dunes?
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Live to fish.Fish to live!

FlakMan

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Ahh sand between my toes!

CRICKET · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:28 am Post subject:

Is there anything that we as sportsmen can do to help mitigate the damage? Glad they caught the suckers. Hope they get more than a slap on the wrist. Some jail time, a stiff fine, and lots of community service might get theirs, and others, attention.

ShawnQ · Pony Mullet Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 152

From what I hear, those pics dont show the half of it.

Supposedly the real damage is behind the dunes.

Even if it was legal to drive on them, you wouldn't catch me back there. Sink holes, quick sand, tire popping debris...you don't know what is back there. It's a shame that they didn't get stuck back there, that would've been priceless.

Mike Sowden · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:25 am Post subject: Dune Distruction

I agree Chrickett, and as part of their commubity service I think they should have to put up about 5 miles of sand fence to try to restore what they have destroyed plus some extra for good measure. The cost of the fence would be at their exspence also. Their work would be under the supervision of the National Part Service also. I beleive that would make an impression on any people thinking of going dune romping in the future. Mad

Mike Sowden

Bluffer · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:03 am Post subject:

Hope they hang thier asses!!!
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Fish hard, fish the Bluff. Surrounded by water!
-A quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem-

Oz · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:07 am Post subject: yeah

yeah.. those pics really don't do everything justice, that was just the last part of the beach where they romped.. as we drove back off the beach, it got worse. Anyhow, the law decides now.
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- Oz

eXtreme coast international

Barnacle Bill · Mud Minnow Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 39

I agree that the community service should be part of their punishment and that it should be served restoring the dunes and/or picking up trash along PINS. They should also be banned from PINS for a couple of years except at the times they are doing their community service. Since it's federal, the fine will probably be between 5k-10k.
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B-Bill
'You're not drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on." - Dean Martin

Alfish · Mud Minnow Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Austin

Nice to know those a-holes got busted. I feel they should be banned for life from PINS. At very least a hefty fine & work the beach clean up under Capt. Billy's supervision, we all know he wouldn't be easy on 'em. Most people like that don't change just cause they got caught, they'll just find another place to mess up. I hope I'm wrong about that & they learn their lesson tho.

Al

Guest · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 8:26 pm Post subject: A Tan and Sandy Silence

Got the appropriate punishment for them from that novel by John D. MacDonald. Yeah, up to their necks at low tide. Twisted Evil