Forest Special Order 02-02-24-02 Occupancy and Use Camping Regulations

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 

Bighorn National Forest

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b): 

The following are prohibited on all National Forest System (NFS) within the Bighorn National Forest:

1. Camping in the Bighorn National Forest for more than 14 days within a 28-day period without moving all equipment and personal property a minimum of 5 road miles after the 14th day. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a) 

2. Camping at locations posted with signs prohibiting camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)

    

3. Parking or leaving a vehicle in violation of posted instructions. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(g)

4. Hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(aa)

5. Possessing or storing any food for human or animal consumption, refuse, or items that may have remnants or smell like food or refuse (including personal hygiene products, beverages, unburned food or garbage residue from fire pits or stoves, or empty food or beverage containers but excluding water or water containers, weed-free hay, or weed-free hay cubes without additives), unless these items are: 

    

   1. Attended by a person who is awake, alert, and within 100 feet and line-of-sight of the items;

       

   2. Suspended at least 10 feet off the ground and at least four feet from any supporting tree or pole;

       

   3. Stored in a container or using a method listed in the most current Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Certified Bear-Resistant Products list or that has been approved under the IGBC’s courtesy inspection program (non-commercial products made for personal use may be inspected and approved under that program). This includes electric fences that are installed properly and meet the design and minimum electrical output specifications on that list, and are tested for proper operation at least every 24 hours with a voltmeter; or

       

      d.  Stored in a closed vehicle, trailer, building, or facility constructed of solid, non-pliable material that, when secured, has no openings, hinges, lids, or coverings that would allow a bear to gain entry by breaking, bending, tearing, biting, or pulling with its claws (any windows must be closed). Horse or livestock trailers may not have any openings greater than 10 inches in two dimensions and must have any food, refuse, or animal carcasses stored more than three feet from any opening. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(cc).

6. Possessing or storing any bird, fish, or other animal carcass or parts thereof (including livestock carcasses) that have not been prepared for human or animal consumption, unless these items are:

    

   1. Being field dressed, transported, or prepared for eating;

1. Stored in accordance with Forest Service-approved storage methods. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(s). 

The following are prohibited on the NFS lands and trails in the Bighorn National Forest, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A-E (the “Described Areas and Trails”):

7. Camping within 100 feet of all lakes, streams, or other free flowing waters in the Woodrock Area (Exhibit A). 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)

8. Possessing a dog in the Sibley Nordic Ski Area (Exhibit B) when posted during the trail grooming season, except if the dog is a guide or service animal. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s)

9. Possessing an unleashed dog on NFS Trail 135, Porcupine Falls Trail and Area (Exhibit C), or at the Shell Falls Interpretative Site (Exhibit D). 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s)

10. Using any riding or pack animal on NFS Trail 135, Porcupine Falls Trail (Exhibit C). 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(c)

     

11. Camping from June 1 through September 30 annually within the Road Camping Closure Areas (Exhibit E). 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e) 

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

3. Any Federal, State, or Tribal employee placing baits for research or management purposes as part of their official duties.

4. Persons in the act of placing black bear baits for the lawful purpose of hunting black bears under state law and regulation.

DESCRIBED AREAS AND TRAILS

1. The Woodrock Area is encompassed by Forest System Road (FSR) 16 on the north, FSR 223 and 520 on the east, FSR 26 on the south, and Highway 14 on the west,Tongue Ranger District, Sheridan County (Exhibit A).

2. Sibley Nordic Ski Area includes the Nordic ski trails and area they are located in, Tongue Ranger District, Sheridan County (Exhibit B).

3. The Porcupine Area includes NFS Trail 135, the base of Porcupine Falls, and the trailhead including the historic structures, Medicine Wheel Ranger District, Big Horn County (Exhibit C).

4. Shell Falls Interpretative Site includes grounds, trail, viewing platform, and pathways, Medicine Wheel Ranger District, Big Horn County (Exhibit D).

5. Road Camping Closure Areas, Medicne Wheel and Tongue Ranger Districts, Big Horn and Sheridan Counties (Exhibit E): 

   1. All NFS lands within ½ mile of US Highway 14 and US Highway 14A.

   2. All NFS lands within ¼ mile of NFS Road (NFSR) 26 (Big Goose Road) beginning at its junction with US Highway 14 until it crosses Sawmill Divide.

   3. All NFS lands within ¼ mile of NFSR 16 (Black Mountain Road) from its junction with NFSR 26 (Big Goose Road) to its junction with NFSR 223 (Gloom Creek Road).

1. All NFS lands within ¼ mile of NFSR 125 (Littlehorn Road) from Half Ounce Creek downstream to the first cattleguard.  This includes the area known as Littlehorn Meadows.

   1. All NFS lands within ¼ mile of NFSR 13 and NFSR 137 (Porcupine Creek Road) from the Porcupine Ranger Station to the end of NFSR 137.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety, provide recreational opportunities for all users, and comply with the Bighorn National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from January 1, 2024 at 08:00 a.m. through December 31, 2027 at 12:00 a.m., unless rescinded.

2. Maps identifying the Described Areas and Trails are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A, B, C, D, E. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibits, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.

3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions. 

4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

5. Contact the Bighorn National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Sheridan, Wyoming, (307) 674-2600, for more information about this Order. 

6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the Bighorn National Forest, the same Described Areas, or on the same Described Trails.

Signed and issued on January 1, 2024.

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