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Big Creek Closure-Peregrine Falcon Nesting Area
A closure order is in now effect for the Big Creek Area on the Rexford Ranger District, which is a known area for peregrine falcon nesting. Peregrine falcons are particularly sensitive to disturbance and activity above their nest or rock climbing in its vicinity. Disturbance during the nesting period can lead to nest abandonment and failure.
District biologists monitor the nesting sites weekly and rescind the closure if no breeding activity is detected.
For more information, please call the Eureka Ranger Station at 406-296-2536.
Alert Start Date: April 17, 2026
Alert End Date: August 31, 2026
Order Number: 01-14-01-26-07
Contact Information
Contact Name: Eureka Ranger Station
Contact Number: 406-296-2536
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Order Number: # 01-14-01-26-07
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Kootenai National Forest
Rexford Ranger District Ranger District
Big Creek Area Closure-Peregrine Falcon Nesting
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and roads, in the Rexford Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
1. It is prohibited to go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of Threatened, Endangered, Rare, Unique, or vanishing species of plants, animals, birds, or fish. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(a) Special Closures.
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/ROADS/TRAILS
Portions of the Big Creek cliff face and the ridge top areas immediately adjacent to this face, located in Township 35 North, Range 29 West, Section 35, including: the SW ¼; the portion west of, but not including, the FDR road of the south half of the Northeast ¼; and the portion west of, but not including, the FDR road of the SE ¼ ., as depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A and herby incorporated into this Order.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to enact a closure within an area identified as a peregrine falcon nesting area. The closure was designed to eliminate the potential disturbance from recreational climbers or other recreationists on nesting peregrine falcons within the Big Creek nesting area. Disturbance can displace individuals and cause nest abandonment (USDI 1999) during the peak summer season. This is consistent with the goals and desired conditions outlined in the 20 I 5 Kootenai Forest Plan.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from April 13, 2026 through August 31, 2026, unless rescinded.
2. 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/r01/kootenai/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 Rexford Ranger District in Eureka, MT, (406) 296-2536, and Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Libby, MT, (406) 293-6211, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on April 17, 2026.
/s/ Chad W. Benson
Forest Supervisor
Kootenai National Forest
Maps
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