The National Park Service is asking for the public's help identifying the people responsible for illegal off-road driving in Death Valley National Park, an incident officials say caused significant damage to rare and sensitive desert plants.
The unauthorized driving happened Dec. 17 and left more than 5 miles of vehicle tracks on Eureka Dunes, the NPS said. Those tracks damaged or destroyed at least 74 plants, including one Shining Milkvetch, a rare species found only on sand dunes within Death Valley National Park.
"Eureka Dunes are a special place meant to be enjoyed on foot," Death Valley Superintendent Mike Reynolds said. "They are protected from off-road driving by both park regulations and their designation as wilderness."
The truck is believed to be a 2021 Toyota Tacoma with California license plates.
Photo of vehicle offroad at Eureka Dunes on Dec. 17. File Photo courtesy National Park Service
