Graffiti damage to rock art puts officials in a hard place

Wisconsin Rapids,WI,USA

By KAREN MADDEN
Daily Tribune Staff
FRIENDSHIP - Officials say they aren't sure they can restore 1,000-year-old American Indian rock art that was damaged by graffiti.
It will cost about $3,000 to have an expert assess the damage at Roche-A-Cri State Park in Adams County, said John Broihahn, Wisconsin state archaeologist. Broihahn said he doesn't know how much it will cost to repair the rock art that was damaged by spray paint - or even if it can be done.
"We're really disappointed about this," Broihahn said. "It's the only rock art site in Wisconsin that is this open to the public."
Until the site is evaluated by an expert, it is unknown how successful any clean up will be, Broihahn said. Sometimes paint can be completely removed, and other times, the rocks remain stained, he said.
"We're hoping we'll be able to go ahead this fall and get things cleaned up and returned to what it looked like before," Broihahn said.
The Friends of Roche-A-Cri State Park are offering a reward for information leading to the apprehension of the person or people responsible for the vandalism, said Carol Tolley, group president. The restoration is going to be very costly, and it would help to find out who is responsible, Tolley said. People with information can call the park at 608-339-6881 or the Adams County Sheriff's Department at 608-339-3304.

"It's discouraging that people don't respect other people's property," said Tolley, whose group does upkeep and works to improve the park.
The Roche-A-Cri rock art is unique because it includes carvings and paintings, Broihahn said. There is a theme or story being told, which is unusual for rock art in Wisconsin, he said.
A lot of people visit Roche-A-Cri State Park because the site is so accessible, said Joe Stecker-Kochanski, park manager. There are no plans to restrict public access to the rock art.
"There are so many pieces that you can't view (in other parts of the state)," Stecker-Kochanski said.
Stecker-Kochanski has been park manager for 11 years. During that time, there has been vandalism, but not to the extent of what was done in May, he said. This time, the rock was painted with black spray paint.
The paint appears to be mostly on carvings and not the painted sections of the rock art, Stecker-Kochanski said.
It is unknown at this time who will pay for the clean-up, Stecker-Kochanski said.
In 1996, penalties for vandalizing rock art were changed because of damage to the rock art at the Gothschall site in the southwestern part of the state, Broihahn said. Vandalizing rock art can bring felony charges with a maximum penalty of 3 1/2 years in prison.
You can reach reporter Karen Madden at 422-6729 or kmadden@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.