Abandoned Mines Area Closure

ABANDONED MINES AREA CLOSURE

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to Subpart B, 36 Code of Federal Regulations 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on lands administered by the Forest Service within Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Latah Counties in Idaho, and Pend Oreille County in Washington and Lincoln County in Montana, all within the Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF).
1. Going into any abandoned underground opening, including but not limited to, mine adits, drifts, tunnels, caves and shafts that are the result of past mining activities within the forest boundaries as identified on the attached map [CFR 261.53(a) and CFR 261.53(e)] These restrictions are in addition to those stated in Subpart A, 36 Code of Federal Regulations 261.

EXEMPTIONS 

Pursuant to 36 CFR Section 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(4)
2. 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).
 

DESCRIBED AREA

• All National Forest System lands within the boundaries of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests including those within Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Latah Counties in Idaho, Pend Oreille County in Washington and Lincoln County in Montana.
• Private properties, city, county, state, or other federal lands within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest boundaries described above are not subject to this order.

PURPOSE 

Abandoned and inactive mine openings (AMLs) present a significant threat to the health and safety of the public who may intentionally or inadvertently enter mine workings. Mine related risks to the public include slips, falls, crushing, old explosives and asphyxiation, among others. The purpose of this order is to protect human health and safety [36 CFR 261.53(e)] by prohibiting the public from entry into abandoned mines on lands administered by the Forest Service, and to protect threatened, endangered, rare or vanishing species of animals that may be using such abandoned mine sites or features for refuge or habitat [36 CFR 261.53(a)].
 

IMPLEMENTATION

3. This Order shall be in effect from 04/15/2025 at 0000 through 2/15/2030 at 1200 unless
rescinded or superseded.
4. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit
A. A copy of this Order and Exhibit A are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ipnf/notices/cid=FSEPRD1042686

5. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 CFR Chapter II, Parts 200- 299. If there are terms in this order that are not expressly defined in the order or 36 CFR Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
6. 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. Section 551; 18 U.S.C. Sections 3559, 3571, and 3581.
7. Contact the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor’s Office at (208) 765-7223 for more information about this Order.
8. This Order supersedes ORDER NO. F-99-006 prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.