FLAGSTAFF, AZ (CBS5) -
Two Sedona residents pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal violations for building unauthorized trails on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest.
David Donohue, 40, was originally cited in October 2011 for construction of mountain bike jumps and also digging in and disturbing an archeological site on national forest land in Sedona near Beaverhead Flats.
In a separate case, Jeff Harris, 39, was originally cited in September 2012 for constructing a trail without authorization and damaging trees and other forest products on national forest land in Sedona near the Coffee Pot area.
Both unauthorized constructions included removal and clearing of a large area of native plants and soil, Coconino National Forest spokesman Brady Smith said.
Smith said the sites require extensive restoration to prevent further harm from soil erosion and to restore the natural contours and plants to the area.
Though the total cost for restoration in Donohue's case amounted to $2,770, Donohue will pay restitution of $1,770 to the U.S. Forest Service and was placed on one year of unsupervised probation.
Harris was also placed on one year of unsupervised probation and will pay restitution of $2,520. The total cost of restoration to the area affected by Harris was $4,916.
In the past year, the Forest Service has convicted three other people for similar offenses on national forest land near Sedona.
The Red Rock Ranger District asks that anyone who observes unauthorized trail construction or maintenance call Forest Service Law Enforcement at 928-527-3509.
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