The U.S. Forest Service and local law enforcement are looking for answers after an expensive piece of equipment used to create and maintain trails was stolen and severely damaged last week.
Trail crew members with the Forest Service were shocked last Wednesday morning to arrive at their work site along the Cub River in Franklin County and discover that their 50-inch Sweco trail dozer had been driven into and left in the river.
The crew had secured the dozer the previous evening after spending the day opening trails. Upon returning the next morning, they found that all padlocks had been cut from the machine, allowing the vandals to operate it. Tracks indicated that the machine had been driven around briefly before being driven off the road and into the river.
The machine that was stolen and vandalized was transferred to the Bear River Zone from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
“Trail dozers are expensive and vital tools in maintaining the forest trail system,” the Forest Service stated in a press release. “Funding to purchase such equipment is not readily available.”
Initial reports indicate severe damage to the machine, including intentionally broken hydraulic lines, an unserviceable battery and water contamination of operating fluids. Crews were able to retrieve the dozer from the river and are continuing to assess the extent of damages.
Crews rely heavily on the dozer during the short summer season to assist in opening and repairing the zone trail system for recreational use.
“Senseless vandalism and disregard for public property such as this affects everyone who enjoys the Forest trail systems,” the press release stated.
Forest Service officials said it is “highly likely” that the person or people responsible were injured in the incident.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Soda Springs Ranger District at (208) 547-4356, Montpelier Ranger District at (208) 847-0375, or the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 852-1234.
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