Park Lake closure

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

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Helena Ranger District

Area and Road Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a)(b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) area and road on the Helena Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Road”):

1. Using any type of vehicle prohibited by the order [36 C.F.R. § 261.54(a)] 
2. Public health or safety [36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)]

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 ROAD AND AREA

This closure applies to all National Forest System (NFS) lands in the immediate area of Park Lake, generally located in T8N, R5W, section 13, including the segment of Forest Road 4009 in its entirety beginning at the intersection of Forest Road 1878 and Forest Road 4009, that serves as access into the day use and campground area adjacent to Park Lake, and as depicted on the attached map Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Road”). 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public safety due to temporary heavy construction activities related to dewatering Park Lake and stabilizing the impoundment at the south end of the lake. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from June 1, 2026, at 0001 through October 31, 2027, at 2400, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Road 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/helena-lewisclark/alerts 
3. 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. 
4. 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.
5. Contact the Helena Ranger District in Helena, MT, (406) 495-5490, and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Helena, (406) 449-5201, for more information about this Order. 
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road and Area.