Temporary Area Closure for the Tesuque Peak Powerline # 30-10-06-24-12

TEMPORARY AREA CLOSURE FOR THE TESUQUE PEAK POWERLINE REBUILD AND RESTORATION  # 30-10-06-24-12

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and roads in the Cuba Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area"): 

1. Going into or being upon an area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.S0(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 AREA AND ROADS: 

As depicted in Exhibit A, the Described Area is within Sections 1 and 12, Township 18 North, Range 10 East and Sections 6, 7, and 8, Township 18 North, Range 8 East, New Mexico Meridian, Santa Fe County, New Mexico. The Described Area consists of all NFS lands for ¼ mile on each side of the Tesuque Peak Powerline, beginning at reference point 35° 48.033' N and -105° 49.572 W, then following the Tesuque Peak Powerline southeast for approximately 1.375 miles to the Texas Gate. At the Texas Gate, the width of the Described Area reduces to only right-of­way for the Tesuque Peak Powerline, which is 25 feet total centered on the powerline poles. From the Texas Gate, the Described Area follows the Tesuque Peak Powerline northeast for approximately 0.33 miles to reference point 35° 47.944' N and -105° 48.155 W. 

Note: Windsor Trail remains open and is not affected by this order. Windsor Trail bounds the southern portion of the Described Area prior to the narrowing at the Texas Gate. Additionally, the portion of Windsor Trail intersected by the Tesuque Peak Powerline right-of-way is excluded from the Described Area. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect the public's health and safety during the rebuilding and environmental restoration of the Tesuque Peak powerline. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 16th, 2024, at 8 a.m. through Dec 31, 2026, at 12 a.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/santafe/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 11, 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 Espanola Ranger District Office in Espanola, NM, (505) 753-7331, or the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor's Office in Santa Fe, NM (505) 438-5300, for more information about this Order.