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Blankenship Bridge High Water Area Closure D07-002-S-25
The Blankenship Bridge Area, located south of Blankenship Road on the west side of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River is closed to public access due to safety concerns of high water on the Flathead River.
Alert Start Date: May 2nd, 2025
Alert End Date: June 27th, 2025
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: D07-002-S-25
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Order Number: # D07-002-S-25
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Flathead National Forest National Forest
Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District
Area Closure
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. §551, and 36 C.F.R. §261.50(a) the following [is/are] prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
It is prohibited to go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection public health or safety. 36 CFR §261.53(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
The Blankenship Bridge Area (Blankenship southwest), located south of Blankenship road on the west side of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, within NE ÂĽ S7, T31N, R19W, as shown as the red highlighted polygon on the attached map (Exhibit A). This area includes the National Forest System lands on river right, below and downstream of the Blankenship Bridge which are accessed by the non-system road south of the Blankenship Bridge.
PURPOSE
This restriction is for public health and safety due to the high-water level of the Flathead River.
IMPLEMENTATION
This order will be in effect from May 2, 2025 at 0600, through June 27, 2025 at 1800, unless rescinded.
A map identifying the Described Blankenship Bridge 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/r01/flathead/alerts.
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 Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District in Flathead County, Montana (406) 387-3800, and Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Flathead County, Montana (406) 758-5208, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on May 1, 2025.
s/ Anthony Botello
Forest Supervisor
Flathead National Forest