When visiting the state parks and national parks the best rule of thumb is "Don't Mess With Mother Nature!" Much of the nation was outraged last October 11th when scoutmasters leading a Utah scout troop through Goblin State Park decided to show off by knocking over a "balanced rock" formation. The two men then proceeded to push over the formation, estimated by park rangers to have been about 170 MILLION years old. One or both men may have attempted to topple the formation, but Glen Taylor succeeded in destroying it while David Hall recorded the act on a video camera.
In a further display of "not smart" the men posted their exploits on Facebook. Viewers of the film as well as persons in the park reported the criminal mischief to park authorities. What followed were days of outrage in which people and government officials demanded an accounting from these two men for their disturbing lack of leadership and the extremely poor examples they set for their charges. A few days later both men were drummed out of the Boy Scouts of America, and scout leaders across the nation were admonished to review scout precepts known as the "Leave No Trace" principles. These principles are common-sense rules about hiking and camping that assure scouts will leave nature at least as clean as they found it, and that they will leave as little trace as is realistically possible at their campsites.
Since October, 2013 some of the furor has died down and the ex-scoutmasters faded from view. But this past week the Emery County, Utah District Attorney has filed felony charges against both men. The actual charge is criminal mischief, and since it involved destruction of natural formations in a state park, the offense became a felony. And really, there is no way to put a price on the damage that was done. The rock formation was irreplaceable and therefore priceless. Yes, there are similar formations in this park and in other natural areas around the nation, but the stupid and reckless action of people like Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hall must be punished so that the remaining national treasures of this kind can be protected for all of us and our future generations to enjoy.
Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hall have been summoned to appear in Utah state court in March, where they will be arraigned. The district attorney, David Blackwell, decided it was necessary to file felony charges in this case and I agree with him. On the other hand, Mr. Blackwell is not particularly interested in seeing either man receive the most severe penalty possible in this case, five years in prison and a five thousand dollar fine. He has expressed to both men that he would be open to plea bargains that might keep the men out of prison, or at least shorten their terms. Neither man has yet been indicted, and both have the right to plead not guilty and force the state to prove its case. Unfortunately, Mr. Hall made the district attorney's job 100 percent easier by posting the evidence in a public domain. Both men would do well to listen to Mr. Blackwell and plead to the deal he offers. But, the bigger hope is that those who in the future may be tempted to destroy our nation's natural treasures will think about not only the penalty should they be caught, but also about the untold damage they will do, damage that can never be repaired.
In a further display of "not smart" the men posted their exploits on Facebook. Viewers of the film as well as persons in the park reported the criminal mischief to park authorities. What followed were days of outrage in which people and government officials demanded an accounting from these two men for their disturbing lack of leadership and the extremely poor examples they set for their charges. A few days later both men were drummed out of the Boy Scouts of America, and scout leaders across the nation were admonished to review scout precepts known as the "Leave No Trace" principles. These principles are common-sense rules about hiking and camping that assure scouts will leave nature at least as clean as they found it, and that they will leave as little trace as is realistically possible at their campsites.
Since October, 2013 some of the furor has died down and the ex-scoutmasters faded from view. But this past week the Emery County, Utah District Attorney has filed felony charges against both men. The actual charge is criminal mischief, and since it involved destruction of natural formations in a state park, the offense became a felony. And really, there is no way to put a price on the damage that was done. The rock formation was irreplaceable and therefore priceless. Yes, there are similar formations in this park and in other natural areas around the nation, but the stupid and reckless action of people like Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hall must be punished so that the remaining national treasures of this kind can be protected for all of us and our future generations to enjoy.
Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hall have been summoned to appear in Utah state court in March, where they will be arraigned. The district attorney, David Blackwell, decided it was necessary to file felony charges in this case and I agree with him. On the other hand, Mr. Blackwell is not particularly interested in seeing either man receive the most severe penalty possible in this case, five years in prison and a five thousand dollar fine. He has expressed to both men that he would be open to plea bargains that might keep the men out of prison, or at least shorten their terms. Neither man has yet been indicted, and both have the right to plead not guilty and force the state to prove its case. Unfortunately, Mr. Hall made the district attorney's job 100 percent easier by posting the evidence in a public domain. Both men would do well to listen to Mr. Blackwell and plead to the deal he offers. But, the bigger hope is that those who in the future may be tempted to destroy our nation's natural treasures will think about not only the penalty should they be caught, but also about the untold damage they will do, damage that can never be repaired.
Thanks for your comment, Rozina. I am surprised that someone outside my few followers saw this blog. I know that the people of Utah must be really upset with the loss of the balanced rock formation.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Wesley