LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The National Park Service for Death Valley is searching for a person who illegally drove over the Eureka Dunes, which is home to an endangered plant.
Park officials say the incident happened either in late December or early January. Rangers say the vehicles caused “significant” damage to rare plants that are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
“I urge the public to come forward with any information that could help identify those responsible for driving on Eureka Dunes,” said superintendent Mike Reynolds. “I’m saddened that someone would disregard the survival of a rare species for a few minutes of joyriding. There are multiple areas on BLM land nearby, such as Dumont Dunes, which are set aside for this type of recreation but the sensitive dune systems in the National Park are set aside to be protected.”
NPS says a biologist documents damage to Eureka dunegrass (Swallenia alexandrae). It’s a species that only grows on sand dunes in Eureka Valley.
Eureka dunegrass is classified as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“One Eureka dunegrass plant was directly damaged by vehicle tracks, while eight additional plants were likely affected by root damage due to their proximity to the tracks,” NPS says. “Over two miles of vehicle tracks were left on the dunes, suggesting that further damage to seeds and other rare plants is likely.”
Additional documented damage include five other rare plants:
- Eureka Dunes evening-primrose (Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis)
- Shining milk vetch (Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans)
- Gravel milk vetch (Astragalus sabulonum)
- Hillman’s silverscale (Atriplex argentea var. hillmanii)
- Wheeler’s chaetadelpha (Chaetadelpha wheeleri)
Eureka Dunes evening-primrose only lives on dunes in Eureka Valley. It was removed from the endangered species list in 2018 due to reduced threat of damage from offroad driving. Shining milkvetch only lives on dunes in Eureka and Panamint Valleys.
Eureka Dunes are 680 feet tall, making them the tallest dunes in California. The dune field is about three miles long by one mile wide. Eureka Dunes is designated as a National Natural Landmark.
Information from visitors is often very helpful to investigators. You don’t have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know:
- Call the NPS Tip Line 888-653-0009
- Email [email protected]
- Online form.
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