Only the gate post is left where this forest road gate was taken by metal thieves. Photo: Jason Bodine/DNR.
As KING 5 TV reported yesterday evening, metal thieves have been stealing entire gates that protect forest roads. It’s a new and unwelcome twist to theft and vandalism problems on public lands. It costs about $4,000 in material and labor to replace each gate – six gates have been stolen but a suspect has been arrested and faces felony theft charges.
The familiar yellow metal gates are closed at times to protect sensitive forestlands and wildlife breeding areas as well as to protect the public from severely damaged roads or active timber operations. Sometimes gates are closed when private landowners do not allow the public to use a road that crosses their lands.
This video clip from KING 5 TV shows what’s been happening.
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Tags: DNR, law enforcement, trust land
