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Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Media representatives can receive press releases via e-mail.

Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

January 6, 2010

Maine Warden Service Urges Snowmobilers to Stay Off Ice on Parts of China Lake

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Warden Service is urging snowmobilers to stay off the ice near the west basin of China Lake because it is too thin to hold snowmobiles.

Lt. Kevin Adam of the Maine Warden Service said there are areas around this part of the lake where there is ice, particularly near the shore, and there is open water out into the lake.

The Maine Warden Service is conducting a search using airboats and other equipment in the west basin of China Lake. Game Wardens are searching for 18-year-old Richard “Shaw” Jackson of South China, who was last seen on Friday night, Jan. 1, 2010. On Monday night, Game Wardens found tracks on the ice leading to open water at the west basin.

Lt. Adam said he’s overheard snowmobilers say they’ll be alright if they ride on the ice near the shoreline. They won’t, according to Adam. Equipment being used by the Maine Warden Service and weather conditions are thinning what little ice is there.

“Our airboats are creating waves that are weakening the ice and snowmobilers could go through it,” he said.

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