Blm Wants Information On Vandalism

After another incident of vandalism at a southwestern Idaho wildlife area, the Bureau of Land Management is offering a $500 reward for information leading to successful prosecution.

The BLM said Wednesday vandals struck late last month at “a highly significant surveying site,” Initial Point, about eight miles south of Kuna.

A survey monument and plaque were removed. Initial Point has been critical to surveying of public and private land since it was established in 1867 by the first surveyor general of the United States, Peter Bell.

It continues to serve as the starting point for all rectangular surveys in the state and the basis of all land plots.

The stolen monument and plaque were installed as part of a centennial project in 1990. Under federal law, destroying or removing a survey marker can bring a fine up to $100,000 and one year in prison.

The 482,640-acre Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area has been plagued by several incidents of vandalism in the last year.