Staff report
The highest potential fine that could be levied against the driver who illegally took his Jeep Cherokee into Marcy Dam — via a truck road over Forest Preserve — is $750.
According to David Winchell, Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman, each of the violations the driver was ticketed for carry a maximum fine of $250:
- Use of motorized equipment on State Land;
- Deface, destroy or injure vegetation on State Land; and
- Failure to obey a DEC sign
In late September, a pair of hikers ignored the 2-mile foot trail into and drove into Marcy Dam, base camp for several high peaks, passing signs against motorized use. The driver passed through a gate to the Marcy Dam truck trail left open during an earlier rescue operation.
The incident has generated a large response, including memes placing the Jeep in various other wilderness settings.
The last non-emergency vehicle on record to take the truck road was a security detail for George Pataki. At that time, security drove the then-governor to the dam so he could hike Marcy within a timeframe that did not interfere with his official duties.
The facts are incorrect in this article. The gate was open and there were no payed signs regarding motorized vehicles. Need to get the facts straight.
No Posted signs