By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Federal officials have closed an old southern New Mexico rock quarry to the public, saying its steep dirt walls are dangerous.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management previously blocked access to the quarry, but said vandals destroyed the barriers.
The land and minerals supervisor at the Las Cruces BLM office, Edward Seum, says Monday's closure announcement in the Federal Register means people can be cited for trespassing.
Seum says loose rocks can fall on people below, and that people climbing on top of the quarry could get too close to the edge, which could give way.
The announcement makes trespassing subject to a fine of up to a $1,000, up to a year in prison or both.
The quarry is near the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument near Las Cruces.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.