Law Enforcement and Investigations - Rules, Orders and Regulations
Forest Rules
These regulations have been made by the Secretary of Agriculture to assure the enjoyment of recreation in the National Forests. They are common sense rules meant to control actions that cause damage to natural resources and facilities, as well as actions that cause unreasonable disturbances for National Forest visitors.
The following definitions, which appear in 36 CFR 261.2, apply to all regulations quoted in this publication.
Campfire means a fire, not within any building, mobile home, or living accommodation mounted on a motor vehicle, which is used for cooking, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial, or esthetic purposes. "Fire" includes campfire.
Camping means the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure.
Camping equipment means the personal property used in or suitable for camping, and includes any vehicle used for transportation and all equipment in possession of a person camping. Food and beverages are not considered camping equipment.
Damaging means to injure, mutilate, deface, destroy, cut, chop, girdle, dig, excavate, kill, or in anyway harm or disturb.
Developed recreation site means an area which has been improved or developed for recreation.
Forest development road means a road wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving a part of the National Forest System and which has been included in the Forest Development Road System Plan.
Forest development trail means a trail wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving a part of the National Forest System and which has been included in the Forest Development Trail System Plan.
Forest Officer means an employee of the Forest Service.
Person means natural person, corporation, company, partnership, trust, firm, or association of persons.
Permission means oral authorization by a Forest Officer.
Permit means authorization in writing by a Forest Officer.
State Law means the law of any State in whose exterior boundaries an act or omission occurs regardless of whether State law is otherwise applicable.
Stove fire means a campfire built inside an enclosed stove or grill, a portable brazier, or a pressurized liquid or gas stove, including a space-heating device.
PART 261 - GENERAL PROHIBITIONS
Special Orders
Special orders are put into effect to address particular management problems. Special orders are signed by Regional Foresters and Forest Supervisors and vary in duration. Special orders are posted at Forest Service Ranger District offices and Forest Supervisors offices in the office nearest to the area affected, or they may be posted at the Ranger Station and the actual site.
Some of the reasons for implementation of special orders is to protect public safety, prevent resource damage, preserve a particular areas setting (such as non motorized), protect wildlife populations and many other reasons. Special orders may prohibit a specific activity or impose permit requirements. Some examples of permits that may be required are hiking, camping or burning permits.
Below is a listing of the possible special order regulations which may be implemented. Please check the National Forest you are considering visiting to see if any special orders have been implemented and to check the specifics of the restriction.
PART 261--PROHIBITIONS IMPLEMENTED BY SPECIAL ORDER