Person responsible for damaging historic tower in Death Valley comes forward
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The person who damaged a 113-year-old historic tower in Death Valley contacted the National Park Service to accept responsibility for their actions.
Earlier this week, the NPS put out a news release seeking information on the person who used the salt tram tower in Saline Valley as an anchoring point for a winch to pull their vehicle out of the mud. The tower was knocked down and damaged.
“We are grateful to the dozens of people who reached out to the park with information and for all the statements of support that we received from people who care about this place and its cultural resources,” said acting Superintendent Elizabeth Ibañez. “Although we would certainly prefer that this damage hadn’t happened, we are glad that the person who did this ultimately took responsibility for their actions and came forward.”
The NPS did not identify the person but said that the person contacted them through the tip line and said they didn’t intend to damage the salt tram tower on April 19 but they were desperate because they were stuck in deep mud.
Rangers advise people traveling in remote areas such as Death Valley to carry a communication device that uses satellite and to stay on paved roads, especially during the hot summer months.
The park service is still assessing the damage and determining what restoration will be needed and said no visitors should attempt to repair it.
The Saline Valley Salt Company built the 13-mile aerial tram to transport salt from Saline Valley to Owens Valley in 1911. The tramway which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places climbed more than 7,000 feet at steep vertical grades.
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