More than 100 piles of cremated human remains have been discovered in a mass gravesite near Searchlight, Nevada, approximately 50 miles south of Las Vegas, prompting police and authorities to launch an investigation.
Piles of Cremated Remains Reported
According to 8 News Now in Las Vegas, the piles of ashes were discovered on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land along a dirt road. The outlet obtained photos showing small gray piles of ashes scattered across the ground. The BLM stated it is working with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to investigate the cremated remains.
The BLM has confirmed that the ashes are indeed human remains and is actively investigating the discovery. Any uncertainty about the nature of the material was dispelled by the presence of a broken urn found at the site. The tipster captured several photos of the piles of ashes surrounded by cacti, desert brush, and mountains. According to 8 News Now, the remains appeared weathered, and items such as pieces of zip ties and a broken urn were also found at the scene.
Can People Dump Human Ashes on Public Lands In Nevada?
Nevada law does not prohibit individuals from scattering ashes on public land, and there are no restrictions against scattering cremated remains. However, the Bureau of Land Management states that the commercial distribution of cremated remains is not permitted.
According to its website, the BLM manages one out of every ten acres of land in the United States, primarily in the western states. In a 2011 memorandum, the agency stated that commercial entities are not permitted to dispose of cremated remains on BLM-managed land. However, it noted that requests from individuals or families to scatter ashes should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Cremated remains are not classified as a hazardous substance, the memorandum reads. However, the volume of material involved in the commercial distribution of cremated remains could interfere with other land uses and might necessitate designating and regulating the area as an active cemetery. Since the BLM does not manage active cemeteries, this could lead to the disposal of certain public land parcels under appropriate legal authorities.