Sisters man cited for forest damage

A 19-year-old Sisters man was cited Friday, February 13, for damaging natural resources after he sunk his four-wheel-drive truck up to the hubs in mud west of town.

"He just got his 4X4 fixed and wanted to go four-wheeling," said Sisters Ranger District law enforcement chief Larry Duncan. "He wanted to play and he just sunk out of sight."

According to Duncan, the four-wheel drive vehicle, driven by Bradley Bradon, left deep gashes and several holes in soft ground off the Cold Springs Cut-off road about two miles north of the Cold Springs Campground.

Duncan estimates the damage at $1,000 or more.

"That's money out of the public's pocket, that's public land," Duncan said. "That's what they don't understand."

Duncan told The Nugget that the vandalism was reported by a citizen.

Duncan noted that there was also damage from other vehicles in that spot.

"A tow truck driver told me he's towed six vehicles out of there," Duncan said.

Duncan noted that the tow truck driver will report such incidents in the future.

Bradon will likely face a fine and be required to restore the area.

"He said he was going to go out and rehab the area," Duncan said.