-
Upper Shields Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Restoration Closure Area Order Number: # 01-11-04-22-04
The purpose of this order is to prevent public entry into waters being treated by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Forest Service with the fish toxicant rotenone to remove nonnative brook trout in the Crazy Mountains, East of Wilsall and North of Livingston in Park and Meagher Counties Montana. Because brook trout outcompete cutthroat trout for food and space, their removal is an essential action for the long-term conservation of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the upper Shields River drainage.
Alert Start Date: July 28th, 2025
Alert End Date: August 10th, 2025
Order Number: 01-11-04-22-04
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Order Number: # 01-11-04-22-04
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Yellowstone Ranger District
Area/Road/Trail Closure
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), (b) the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Yellowstone Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Roads/Trails”):
To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
Being on the road. 36. C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
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).
Owners or lessees of land in the closed area.
Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty
Persons engaged in a business, trade, or occupation in the area.
DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS
The closure applies to all National Forest System (NFS) lands, including roads and trails within the area closure boundary, depicted on the attached map (Exhibit A) also known as the “Upper Shields Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Restoration Closure Area”.
The closed area is that area bounded by a line beginning at the western most point on the Shields River Road in section 25 and heading south from NFSR #844 along the Deep Creek / Serrett Creek divide in Section 25 T5N, R10E, then east around the upper Shields divide, then north along the upper Shields divide to Crow Creek trail #636, then west along Crow Creek trail #636, then southwest along the Crandall Creek divide to the section 7 T5N, R11E west boundary, then south to the National Forest boundary, then along the National Forest Boundary in section 19 T5N, R11E, then west to the point of origin are closed.
Closed trails include trail # 258 Shields Lowline in Section 36 T5N, R10E, Lodgeplole Creek Trail #266 / # 640 Shields Big Elk in Section 10 T5N, R11E at the closure boundary.
National Forest Road #844 is closed beyond the gate at road mile 19.78. This includes the Buck Creek Road #6631 and Turkey Creek Road #6634.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to prevent public entry into waters being treated by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Forest Service with the fish toxicant rotenone to remove nonnative brook trout in the Crazy Mountains, East of Wilsall and North of Livingston in Park and Meagher Counties Montana. Because brook trout outcompete cutthroat trout for food and space, their removal is an essential action for the long-term conservation of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the upper Shields River drainage.
IMPLEMENTATION
This Order shall be in effect from July 28th, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. through August 10th at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.
A map identifying the Described [Area/Roads/Trails] 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/ /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 Yellowstone Ranger District in Livingston, (406) 222-1892, and Custer Gallatin National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Bozeman, (406) 587-6701, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area/Road/Trail.
Signed and issued on _________.
_______________________
Forest Supervisor
Custer Gallatin National Forest