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Elkhorn Mill and Mine Area Closure
The purpose of this Order is for public safety. The mill site is unstable with heavy metals in the soil and the audit area is flooded with falling rock at the portal entrance.
Alert Start Date: March 1st, 2024
Alert End Date: December 31st, 2025
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: 02-02-24-01
Associated Documents
Forest Order
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Wisdom Ranger District
Elkhorn Mine and Mill Area Closure
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) & (b), the following are prohibited in the Wisdom Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in the Elkhorn Mine and Mill area, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area/Road")
- Going into or being upon the Described Area, which is closed to protect public health and safety, 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
- Being on the Described 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:
- 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).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA/ROAD
The Described Area is the Elkhorn Mine and Mill area located across the bridge from the town of Coolidge. Access across the bridge and in the area of the mine and mill is closed. The area is located on the east side of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway (Route 73), off of Mono Creek Rd in Sections 11, 13 and 14, Township 4 South, Range 12 West Beaverhead County, and is depicted in the map in Exhibit A.
The Described Road is Forest Service Road 2465A in the Wisdom Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is for public safety. The mill site is unstable with heavy metals in the soil and the audit area is flooded with falling rock at the portal entrance.
IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from March 1, 2024 at 1600 through December 31,
2025 at 0000 hours, unless rescinded.
- A map identifying the Described [AreafTrails] 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/BDNF/alerts-notices.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact the Wisdom Ranger District Office in Wisdom MT, (406) 689-3243, and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor's Office in Dillon MT, (406) 683-3900, for more information about this Order.
- This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the east side of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway (Route 73), off of Mono Creek Rd in Sections 11, 13 and 14, Township 4 South, Range 12 West Beaverhead County.
Signed and issued on 3/I /2024
LISA TIMCHAK
Forest Supervisor
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Digitally signed by LISA
TIMCHAK
Date: 2024.01.31
09:56:49 -07'00'