Large Party Shuts Down Snake River Sand Dunes

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — The Corps of Engineers has closed the Illia Dunes recreation area on the Snake River near Pullman after it was trashed by a big party weekend.

The corps estimates about 1,800 people visited the dunes Saturday and left trash on the beach, broken bottles and beer cans in the water and human waste in adjacent areas. The corps closed the area Sunday because of the health and safety hazards.

Illia Dunes also was closed because of similar misuse in August 2012. The corps asked nearby colleges to emphasize visitor safety and responsibility.