Illegal camping: BLM to clear area in East Valley

The Bureau of Land Management will close 1,000 acres along the northern border of Mesa and Apache Junction in order to build a recreation area for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Due to the project, all campsites will be closed, ending a 14-day camping rule. Property owners in the area have complained that homeless people often overstay their welcome and leave behind drug paraphernalia, trash and abandoned RVs.