By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County Commissioners passed an ordinance on
Monday which was designed to help control the problem of
dangerous refuse and debris being left at Little Sahara Sand
Dunes Recreation Area.
The ordinance was passed to be in effect during the
Easter weekend, which has always been one of the biggest use
holidays for the recreation site attracting 30,000 to 60,000
recreationists.
"We have a problem with visitors coming to the site
and starting large bonfires," said David Carter, Juab County
Sheriff. "They throw pallets on the fire and then the ashes
are filled with nails."
The nails and broken glass left by campers are big
problems for the next visitors, he said.
David O. Leavitt, county attorney, prepared the
ordinance to follow the direction of the commission and the
sheriff in seeking a way to curb the actions of those
visiting the site.
"The traditional Easter weekend is a high traffic
weekend for visitors at the Little Sahara Recreation Area,"
said Leavitt. "Because of the large crowds of people who
gather at the site, law enforcement officials have
experienced problems because of the large number of visitors
who have alcoholic beverages, glass bottles and large
bonfires."
Wooden pallets, according to the definition of the
ordinance, consists of two or more pieces of wood affixed
together with nails or wire.
The ordinance also restricts the size of a fire which
may be built. A bonfire with flames over three feet tall or
fires which cannot be contained in a three-foot diameter are
prohibited.
"One of the prohibited acts makes it unlawful within
the Little Sahara Recreational Area to possess glass
containers outside of vehicles, camp trailers, or tents,"
said Leavitt. "A violation will be a class C
misdemeanor."
It is also unlawful to knowingly create or maintain
any large bonfire within the Sand Dunes which will be a
class B misdemeanor and for any person to bring into the
area or possess in the area any pallets, lumber or wood
products with nails or other metal objects affixed to the
items which is a class C misdemeanor.
The ordinance becomes effective on Wednesday, March
19.
"The ordinance covers unlawful acts at Little Sahara,"
said Wm. Boyd Howarth, commission chair. "The trash and
refuse left after visitors leave is a big problem and, in
the case of the nails and broken glass, can be dangerous to
a visitor coming to the site after those who have created
the problem leave.
If a child, for example, were to take off their shoes
thinking the area was smooth sand, which it can appear to be
after a wind, they could be badly injured by the dangerous
debris.
"The ordinance gives us, as law enforcement, the
necessary tools to deal with those who are burning pallets,
having large fires, and breaking glass bottles," said
Carter. "It is unlawful to do so and those who ignore the
ordinance will face misdemeanor charges."
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