Little Elk Creek Trail Closure

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (b) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) trails in the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Trail”):

1. Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

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.

DESCRIBED TRAIL
The 2-mile-long section of the 3.8-mile-long Non-Motorized Little Elk Creek Trail #32 from the eastern crossing of Little Elk Creek to the trail’s terminus at Forest Service Road 260.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public safety due to the presence of active logging operations including tree falling removal in and around trail corridor. The Order prohibits all methods of travel (foot, bicycle, and stock) on this section of the Little Elk Creek Trail #32.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 1, 2024, at 0600 through October 15,
2024, at 1600, unless rescinded.

2. A map identifying the Described Trail and Roads is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to Idaho Panhandle National Forests - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov) – https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/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 Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District in Coeur d’Alene at, (208) 664-2318, and Idaho Panhandle National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Coeur d’Alene, (208) 765-7223, for more information about this Order.

6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Trail.

Signed and issued on July 30, 2024.