Thompson Park Area Closure for Camping and Fires

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Butte Ranger District

Emergency Order - Area Closure to Camping and Fires in Thompson Park

PROHIBITIONS

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

1. Undeveloped or dispersed camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
2. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(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

The lands of the United States within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest commonly known as Thompson Park, comprising 3,454 acres, more or less are described as follows:

E1/2 of Section 28, Lots 1, 2 5, 6, 7, and 8. and S1/2 of Lots 3 and 4, and W1/2

SW1/4 of Section 33, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and? in section 32, Section 27, Section 34, W1/2 W1/2 of Section 26, W1/2, NW1/4, SW1/4 of Section 35, T.2 MR, 7 W.

Montana Principal Meridian; W1/2 of Section 2, Section 3, Lot 5 in Section 4, Lot 1 in Section 9, N1/2, NW1/4, NE1/4 of Section 10, and NW1/4 of Section 9, T.1N., R.7W., Montana Principal Meridian, totaling 3,454 acres more or less.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety and resource protection resulting from high levels of undeveloped (dispersed) camping in the area.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025, unless rescinded.
2.  
3. 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/B-D/alerts-notices.
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
4. Contact the Butte Ranger District in Butte, MT, (406) 494-2147, and Beaverhead­ Deerlodge Forest Supervisor's Office in Dillon, MT, (406) 683-3900, for more information about this Order.
   1. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on 31st day of July, 2024.

ALFRED WATSON

Digitally signed by ALFRED WATSON Date: 2024.08.01

09:10:30 -06'00'

Alfred Watson Forest Supervisor

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

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