Emerald Creek Road Closure

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (b) the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) road in the St. Joe Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road”):

1. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

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

1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(4)

2. 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).

DESCRIBED ROAD
The portion of FSR-447 approximately 0.2 miles south of the FSR 447 and Emerald Creek Road intersection for approximately 3.7 miles to Road 3781, the Garnet Area access road.

1. FSR-447 is located on Idaho Panhandle National Forest System Lands administered by the St Joe Ranger District, east of the town of Clarkia, in Section 34 T43N R1E; and Sections 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 T42N R1E, Boise Meridien, in the Upper St Maries River watershed.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to close approximately 3.7 miles of FSR 447 for the protection of public health and safety, as well as the protection of contractor property during construction operations to replace three bridges. The bridges are at end-of-life condition and being replaced to ensure infrastructure integrity, and to ensure public health and safety.

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from August 5, 2024 at 12:01 am, through October 1, 2024 at 12:01 am, unless rescinded.

2. Map identifying the Described Road are 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. Forest Service barriers will be installed approximately 0.2 miles south of the intersection of FSR 447 and Emerald Creek Road, and east of the intersection of FSR 447 and Road 3781, the Garnet Area access road. Entry between these gates without authorization is considered a violation of this order.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Contact the St Joe Ranger District at Federal Building, 222 S 7th St, St Maries, ID 83861 or the National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 3232 Nursery Rd, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83815, (208) 765-7223, for more information about this Order.

7. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on September 6, 2024.