Blm Plan Marred

Public lands

Thieves are threatening a Bureau of Land Management pilot user-fee program in only its second month in the Milner, Idaho, area.

BLM spokesman Blaine Newman said someone has broken in and taken money from fee boxes at the area’s two entrances.

“We use the money from those fees to improve the Milner area, so really they are destroying their chances for a nicer place,” he said.

Replacing one fee box costs the BLM about $378. The agency grew tired of replacing the boxes, so a U.S. Forest Service-designed box was installed at one entrance. The new box is stronger and more secure.