Ellensburg off-roader fined $2,000 for damages

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Written by Yakima Herald-Republic   
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
A 22-year-old Ellensburg man was ordered to pay $2,000 to help restore a Reecer Creek meadow that he extensively damaged with his pickup.

Jose Mora Villanueva, 22, was charged in U.S. District Court in Yakima with damaging the land through off-road use of a vehicle.

The case was filed in August after off-road enthusiasts reported to the Forest Service that they saw pictures of the damaged area posted on a Craigslist advertisement where Mora was trying to sell the truck.

Forest Service investigators and Kittitas County sheriff's deputies were able to locate the damaged area -- which covered about a half-acre -- and obtain a statement from Mora, acccording to court records.

Mora pleaded guilty and the case was closed last month.

The Forest Service issued a news release this week, noting a zero-tolerance policy for illegal "mudding."

"We have zero tolerance for mudding and will similarly prosecute other mudders. It is a problem every year, and leads to erosion, spread of noxious weeds, loss of water storage in the ground, and the damage remains obvious for years," said Tim Foss, trails manager for the Cle Elum Ranger District.

A Wenatchee man was sentenced two years ago to nearly two years in prison for a similar incident, according to the news release.

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Source: http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/12/01/ellensburg-off-roader-fined-2-000-for-damages


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“We’ve had success bringing illegal riders to justice by snapping photos of their ID stickers. The problem in California is that they’re too darn small to see from far away or at high speeds. While I’m normally not in favor of the government getting involved in things, requiring all ORVs to have a visible ID with a minimum size and standard location would make them an even better tool for property owners to identify trespassing riders. We should also look to Wyoming’s lead and make trespassing penalties clear so riders think twice before they head off designated trails and onto my land.”

- Mesonika Piecuch, private property owner, Kern County, CA