NPS probes illegal driving on Eureka Dunes, harming rare plants
Jan 16, 2025
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The National Park Service is looking for the people who allegedly drove on the Eureka Dunes illegally, causing significant damage to rare plants.
According to NPS, the person or people drove over the rare plant, the Eureka Dunegrass listed under the Endangered Species Act in late December or early January.
A damaged Eureka dunegrass plant.
Vehicle tracks on Eureka Dunes
An undamaged Eureka dunegrass plant
NPS says a biologist documented damage to the Eureka Dunegrass, a plant species that only grows on sand dunes in Eureka Valley.
Vehicle tracks directly damaged one Eureka Dunegrass plant, while eight additional plants were likely affected by root damage due to their proximity to the tracks, according to NPS.
Over two miles of vehicle tracks were left on the dunes which NPS says suggests that further damage was done to seed and other rare plants is likely.
The Eureka Dunes are 680 feet tall, making them the tallest dunes in California. The dune field is about three miles long by one mile wide. Eureka Dunes is designated as a National Natural Landmark.
If anyone has any information they are asked to call the NPS tip line at 888-653-0009 or email [email protected].