Five charged in Sluice Boxes graffiti

Two adults and three juveniles have been charged after graffiti and other vandalism was discovered at Sluice Boxes State Park. Officials said they used initials spray painted at the scene to help them in their investigation.

"It was very extensive," park manager Colin Maas said of the graffiti.

Jared Hall, 19, of Great Falls was charged with criminal mischief and fined $500.

Antonio Tigart, 19, of Great Falls has been charged with alleged criminal mischief and is expected to appear in court this week or early next week. He faces a fine of $535 and restitution of $2,972.

Three juveniles were also charged, two with criminal mischief and one with damaging state property. They have not yet appeared in court.

Maas discovered the vandalism in May. He found graffiti that stretched from the park's main trailhead to the first creek crossing and also from the overlook on Evans Riceville Road to a train tunnel about three miles down the trail. In all, Maas estimates that the vandals spread graffiti along four miles of trail through Sluice Boxes State Park.

Spray paint was found on rocks, cliff walls and downed logs.

"They covered a lot of ground," Maas said.

The graffiti included inappropriate drawings and words, along with some initials. State game warden Kqyn Kuka used those initials to track down the perpetrators.

In one spot, a juvenile left all three of his initials — first, middle and last. 2015 was also spray painted numerous times, which led Kuka to believe the graffiti was done by high school students. She cross-checked the three initials with the Great Falls School District. Only one student had initials that matched. That student has been charged and also led Kuka to others who were allegedly involved in the vandalism.

Kuka found eight different initials in the vandalism, but thinks even more people may have been involved. Additional charges may be filed in the case.

The $2,972 restitution is based on Maas' estimate of what it will take to remove the graffiti.

Crews have started that effort but much work remains.

"It's probably going to take a few seasons to get all of it," Maas said.

The spray paint has to be removed using a liquid product that helps dissolve the paint. The surface then has to be cleaned with high-pressure water. Because of the remote location of some of the graffiti, crews are using backpack spray packs that they use for spraying weeds. Access and a water source to fill the packs is making the cleanup difficult.

"A lot of it is really deep in the backcountry," Maas said.

The recent graffiti is the worst vandalism Maas has seen at Sluice Boxes State Park. It's common for him to find litter, fire rings and stolen signs, but this was the first time he's had to contend with spray paint.

Maas reminds visitors to be good stewards of the land when they visit Sluice Boxes State Park and other public land.

That means packing out trash and following other Leave No Trace practices.

Open fires are allowed in Sluice Boxes State Park, but must be built on a fire pan or fire blanket. Building a fire on the ground with a rock ring is prohibited.

"They really scar up the earth," Maas said.

Fires built directly on the ground can sterilize the soil so nothing will grow there. Maas often finds broken glass, cans and other litter in illegal fire rings.

"They become trash receptacles," he said.

Camping is allowed in the park but requires a permit that can be obtained by calling or stopping by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks office in Great Falls.

Game wardens plan to increase their patrols at Sluice Boxes State Park, Kuka said.

No fireworks allowed

Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, Montana State Parks staff reminds park visitors that fireworks are not allowed in any Montana state park.

Trail steward volunteers wanted

Colin Maas, manager of Sluice Boxes State Park, is looking for volunteers to serve as trail stewards at Sluice Boxes State Park.

The volunteers would hike the park's trails, cleaning up litter and talking to visitors along the way. They could also help with education and do some light trail work.

"I have very little FTE for that park," Maas explained. "I call myself the lone ranger."

Sluice Boxes is a big park that is hard to cover by himself and is a popular destination for partiers.

Maas hopes the presence of volunteer trail stewards would help decrease litter, vandalism and unwanted partying that occurs at Sluice Boxes.

For information on volunteering, contact Maas at 406-454-5857.