Help sought in Grand Teton illegal off-roading investigation

MOOSE, Wyo. – Officials in Grand Teton National Park say they want help from the public to find out who damaged a recently re-seeded area with motorized dirt bikes.

A witness recorded about 50 people at an “organized dirt bike event” at the famous Mormon Row area of barns and other homestead-era structures Saturday night, park officials said Wednesday.

Park rangers responded immediately but the group left before the rangers arrived.

Damage included about 1,000 feet (300 metres) of track between 2 and 10 feet (60 centimetres and 3 metres) wide.

The area damaged was reseeded in 2019 as part of a 10-year project to remove nonnative grasses and replant 37 species of native plants.

Park officials urged anyone in the Mormon Row area around 8 p.m. Saturday, or anybody else with useful information, to call the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at (888) 653-0009. Information can be provided anonymously, park officials said.

Illegally operating a motor vehicle off-road in a national park is punishable by restitution, up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.