A Wasilla man was fined in late December for dumping trash in a Southcentral game refuge, the state said Tuesday. In a separate case, the state asked for the public's help in identifying three men who dumped trash in the same refuge in November.
On Dec. 22, 20-year-old Wasilla subcontractor Ian Beall pleaded guilty to "dumping a large amount of trash," including roofing material, in the Goose Bay State Game Refuge, according to a joint release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska State Troopers.
Beall was fined $1,000 and sentenced to serve 20 hours of community service picking up trash in Palmer Hay Flats and Goose Bay game refuge.
The Goose Bay State Game Refuge, located in upper Cook Inlet, is home to wetlands that provide resting and feeding area for migratory waterfowl, according to Fish and Game.
The refuge was formerly a Nike missile site that was eventually abandoned.
"The refuge's road entrance received decades of abuse including vehicle burning, dumping, unregulated target shooting, and vandalism," the release states. "In recent years, the entrance has been cleaned up by the department (of Fish and Game) and its partners and is now a popular destination for hunters, birders and other outdoor recreationists."
More than $100,000 has been spent cleaning up Goose Bay refuge and renovating its trails and roads, according to the state. A total of 107 tons of trash, including 75 vehicles, has been removed from the refuge.
The state is also asking for the public's help in identifying three men who dumped a dryer and washing machine in the refuge on Nov. 9. A surveillance photo shows the three men preparing to the dump the appliances. The men then "use the discarded appliances for target practice," a second release states.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Palmer Wildlife Troopers post at 907-745-4247.