Newbie boondockers left a mess in Eastern Sierra

Seems like the ignored the obvious solution:

they escaped to an area assumed to be germ-free and serene, found area campgrounds closed, pitched their tents wherever and left a mess behind them

I think most people (especially those not accustomed to camping) would prefer to stay in a campground. So if they want to prevent all of these damage due to dispersed campers not following (or even knowing the rules), then keep the campgrounds open. Or maybe even expand them if there's too much demand.