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Road & Trail Closure for Vermilion River Restoration Activities
A road and trail closure is now in effect on the Cabinet Ranger District while river restoration and construction activities take place in the Vermillion River. National Forest Road #154A will be closed to the public for approximately 0.6 miles, starting at its junction with the Vermilion E. Fisher County Road.
Grouse Creek Trail #154A will also be closed starting at the trailhead for approximately 3.0 miles.
The purpose of the closure is for public safety during the construction period and is expected to be in effect until mid-September or as soon as work is complete.
Alert Start Date: June 13th, 2025
Alert End Date: September 15th, 2025
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: 01-14-07-25-06
Associated Documents
Forest Order
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Kootenai National Forest
Cabinet Ranger District
Forest Road 154A and Grouse Creek Trail (#852) Closure
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) trails and roads, in the Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road/Trail”):
Being on the described road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
Being on the described 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, 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. 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e)(4).
DESCRIBED ROADS/TRAILS
National Forest System Road (NFSR) 154A. Prohibits all traffic and use for approximately 0.6 miles, beginning at the junction of NFSR 154A and Vermilion E Fisher County Road until terminus of NFSR 154A in Township 24 North, Range 30 West, Section 2, as shown on the attached map as Exhibit A and hereby incorporated into this order.
National Forest System Trail 852. Prohibits all traffic and use for approximately 3.0 miles, beginning at approximately mile marker 0.5 on NFSR 154A at the Grouse Creek North (852) Trailhead in Township 24 North, Range 30 West, Section 2. Encompasses the entire trail in Sections 1, 2, 12 and 13, Township 24 North, Range 30 West, and ending at the Grouse Creek South (852) Trailhead in Section 13, as shown on the attached map as Exhibit A and hereby incorporated into this order.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is for public safety during river restoration and construction activities.
IMPLEMENTATION
This Order shall be in effect from June 13, 2025, through September 15, 2025, unless rescinded.
A map identifying the Described Road and Trail 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
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 Cabinet Ranger District in Trout Creek, MT, (406) 827-3533, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road/Trail.
Signed and issued on June 13, 2025.
Chad W. Benson
Forest Supervisor
Kootenai National Forest