Forest Order 09-05-21-08: Cave and Mine Closure - Forest-wide

Order 09-05-21-08 (pdf)

Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a), the following acts and omissions are prohibited with the areas described in this Order all within the Mark Twain National Forest.

1. Entering any cave or mine on National Forest System lands within the Mark Twain National Forest. 36 CFR 261.53(a)

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a permit issued from the authorized Forest Service Officer specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of any organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

3. Volunteers conducting surveys or monitoring of the prohibited areas in accordance with official duties as assigned by a Forest Service Officer.

This closure will be in effect until August 6, 2026, unless terminated earlier by the Forest Supervisor.

This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. 551 and 18 U.S.C. 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Rolla, Missouri, this 6th day of August 2021.