BLM paleontologist confirms damage to dinosaur footprints in Moab

Members of the Utah Friends of Paleontology Moab-based Gastonia Chapter and a BLM paleontologist visit the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite on Saturday, February 5. Photo: Twitter @BLMUtah

MOAB, Utah — A Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regional paleontologist recently conducted a site assessment of the Mill Canyon Dinousaur Tracksite near Moab, after a contractor appeared to have damaged dinosaur tracks by driving heavy equipment over them during repairs.

“He has preliminarily determined that some damage occurred to dinosaur footprints at the project site, and this is unacceptable,” BLM said in a statement.

Work is currently stopped at the site until the final paleontological site assessment report is complete, which is expected in three weeks.

“To finish the project, the BLM will review recommended approaches from the paleontologist and conduct further analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, which will include a public comment period,” the statement said.

“Before construction resumes, the site will be surveyed, flagged, and the work monitored by an onsite, qualified paleontologist. The dinosaur tracks on this site tell a story from millions of years ago.

“The BLM has a responsibility to ensure this story is still told thousands of years from now, and the agency is committed to this future.”