Emergency Closure Order for Portions of Wayne National Forest

Release Date: Jun 30, 2012

Contact(s): Gary Chancey

NELSONVILLE, OH– Wayne National Forest Supervisor Anne Carey announces an emergency closure order is now in effect for the Athens and Marietta Unit of the Athens Ranger District.  Carey signed the order today in the interest of public health and safety after a Friday, June 29 storm hit the area causing widespread damage.

The closure order includes Wayne National Forest lands located in Athens, Hocking, Washington, Perry, Noble, Morgan and Monroe counties in southeastern Ohio. The closure order does not include the Ironton Ranger District.

Highly visited areas such as the Monday Creek ATV/OHM Trail System, Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail, Leith Run Recreation Area, Kinderhook Horse Trail and the Frontier Boat Launch are just a few of the areas being impacted by the order.

While the closure order is in place, the Forest is busy assessing just how much the storm damaged the national forest and its facilities. Areas will be reopened as soon as possible, once the Forest is confident they are safe for the public to visit.

The public is urged to comply with the closure order until it is terminated by the Forest Supervisor.  Violations of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (16 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).

Further updates will be made available as conditions change or you can contact the Wayne National Forest headquarters in Athens County at (740) 753-0101.

You can also follow the Wayne National Forest on Twitter @waynenationalfs, or visit our web site at www.fs.usda.gov/wayne/.