LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – For years now, one area of Lake Mead National Recreation Area has been plagued by crime and excessive trash, as at times, as many as 300-500 people have become permanent campers.
That all changes Thursday, August 1st. Barriers are going up blocking access to the Government Wash and 8.0 Mile Road area.
Wednesday afternoon, Kim Passoth met with the park’s Chief Ranger and followed along as they told the unhoused it was time to leave.
The end of government wash road became iconic a couple years ago. It was a popular spot for people looking for a great picture when you could see a speedboat long submerged underwater standing straight up though now as the lake level has risen.
As the area became popular with adventurers over the last few years, it also became popular with a different group of people.
“Ever since Covid, there has been a sharp increase…this area is not meant to house 300+ residents that are living here. There is not potable water, there is no electricity, there is no trash receptacles, there are limited to no restrooms,” explained Chief Ranger of Lake Mead National Recreation Area Trouper Snow.
Snow says with 1.5 million acres to patrol, this small part of the park has been taking up much of their time.
“These are stolen vehicles, stripped here, burned out here, we had an attempted murder last year…the number of incidents draw away from our ability to patrol the people recreating safely on the lake,” Snow revealed.
“Over the past five years, our law enforcement and wildland fire staff have responded to well over a 1,000 incidents,” Snow added. Those illegal campers who decided to make the area home not just part of a vacation have significantly changed the area.
“You see dozens and dozens of illegal roads…fire rings and pits… Just an incredible amount of damage that is occurring,” Snow reported.
Two years ago, FOX5 rode along with park rangers during a homeless outreach effort in the Government Wash area as rangers approached those camped out for days and offered services.
FOX5 went along as Snow went to notify holdouts it was time to leave, one clearly warned before had torn part of a notice off the door of a trailer.
The new barriers being put up are meant to stop vehicle traffic and overnight camping but the area will remain open for fishing, boating, biking, and hiking.
Rangers have been going out for several weeks now to let people know this will be happening. Thursday morning the rangers will return to the area at 8 a.m. to drive the roads one more time. They will also fly a helicopter overhead to make sure no vehicles are missed before the final barrier is put up blocking the access road.
After the recent US Supreme Court ruling on homeless camping, they could be arrested for not leaving. Rangers are hoping it does not come to that for any holdouts.
The park plans to hold a public meeting in the fall on what to do with the area in the future.
Learn more here: Government Wash Area Information
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