Vermilion Area Road & Trail Closure now rescinded

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”):

1. Being on the described road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
2. 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:

1. 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).
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

1. This Order shall be in effect from June 13, 2025, through September 15, 2025, unless rescinded.
2. 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
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 Cabinet Ranger District in Trout Creek, MT, (406) 827-3533, for more information about this Order.
6. 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

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