The Fine Should Have Been Greater

Above, Crater Lake National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An Oregon man was fined $200 for damage he caused in a section of Crater Lake National Park.

According to OregonLive:

An Oregon man created more than $60,000 in damages after driving off-road at Crater Lake National Park, destroying part of a sensitive natural environment as a friend took pictures. 

Evan Metz, from Grants Pass, ultimately paid $200 for the damages he caused in a section of the park called the Pumice Desert, after his insurance company paid the damage assessment costs of more than $60,000, park officials said in a news release Friday. 

The incident took place in July, 2018, when Metz entered the desert and drove in circles, officials said. In the process, he dug ruts 12 inches deep and caused “widespread vegetation mortality,” destroying at least 15 species of native plants.

Even though is insurance company paid the bulk of the loss, Metz should have been fined more than $200 and should have served some jail time. This is even below speeding ticket fines. This was too lenient.

According to the article:

 The crime can result in a fine of up to $2,000 and six months in federal prison.

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