Men get fines, probation for illegal off-roading

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Two South Lake Tahoe men received $500 fines and one year of probation for illegally off-roading at the Twin Peaks Off Highway Vehicle area this summer.

The United States Eastern District Court in Sacramento found Jack G. Burns III, 24 and Kent Johnson, 47, guilty on Feb. 24 of damaging National Forest System lands, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Cheva Heck in a statement.

On Aug. 29, 2009, the men drove off the designated route at the Twin Peaks Off Highway Vehicle area in an apparent attempt to avoid a large technical boulder field and damaged about an acre of land, destroying log barricades, disturbing ground cover and causing deep ruts, Heck said.

Witnesses who were alarmed by the activity called El Dorado County Sheriff's Office for help.

A representative from the Lake Tahoe Hi/Lo four-wheel drive club testified at the trial and stated that the club will be volunteering for restoration work to repair the damage done by Burns and Johnson, Heck said.

The fines will also go towards repairing the damage.

“Operating a motor vehicle on the National Forest carries a greater responsibility than driving in other areas,” said Forest Service Patrol Captain Gary Barnett in the statement. “This is because the operator must know not only the applicable traffic laws, but they need to show a concern for the environment as well. Misuse of motor vehicles can lead to closures of routes and trails that are currently open."

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Source: http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20100305/NEWS/100309893/1007&parentprofile=1056

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