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Forest Special Order 02-02-25-03 Over Snow and Motor Vehicle Restrictions
Travel management restrictions including S-Areas.
Alert Start Date: January 1st, 2025
Alert End Date: N/A
Order Number: 02-02-25-03
Associated Documents
Forest Order
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Bighorn National Forest
Over-Snow and Motor Vehicles
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR §§ 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Bighorn National Forest, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A and B (the “Described Areas, Roads, and Trails”):
Using a wheeled or over-snow vehicle (OSV) within Described Area S1 year-round, including all NFS roads and trails within that area. 36 CFR §§ 261.56, 261.54(a), 261.55(b)
Using an OSV within Described Area S2, including all NFS roads and trails within that area, from November 16 through May 15. 36 CFR §§ 261.56, 261.54(a), 261.55(b)
Using an OSV within Described Area S3, including all NFS trails within that area, from March 31 through November 15. 36 CFR §§ 261.53(e), 261.56, and 261.55(b)
Using an OSV within Described Area S4, including all NFS roads and trails within that area, from July 1 through November 15. 36 CFR §§ 261.56, 261.54(a), and 261.55(b)
Using a wheeled motor vehicle or OSV within Described Area S5, including all NFS roads and trails within that area, from December 1 through May 1. 36 CFR §§ 261.56, 261.54(a), and 261.55(b)
Using an OSV within Described Area S6, including all NFS roads and trails within that area. 36 CFR §§ 261.53(c), 261.56
Using a wheeled motor vehicle on the snowmobile trails designated on Exhibit A from December 15 through March 31. 36 CFR §§ 261.54(a), 261.55(b)
Using an OSV off NFS roads and trails within the Bighorn National Forest from May 16 through November 15. 36 CFR § 261.56
Using an OSV off NFS roads and trails within the Bighorn National Forest from November 16 through May 15 unless there is a minimum of six inches of snow.36 CFR §§ 261.54(a), 261.55(b)
Using an OSV on NFS roads and trails within the Bighorn National Forest unless there is a minimum of six inches of snow. 36 CFR §§ 261.54(a), 261.55(b)
Using an OSV within the Arrowhead Bowl Described Area. 36 CFR § 261.53(e)
Traveling against the one-way designated motorized loop around the exterior of the Arrowhead Bowl Described Area. 36 CFR § 261.55(b)
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
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).
Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREAS, ROADS, AND TRAILS
The Described "S" Areas, and included NFS roads or trails within those area, are shown on Exhibit A and further described as follows:
1. Described Area S1 is Natural Research Areas. It includes NFS roads and trails within those areas.
2. Described Area S2 is deer and elk winter range, dales are from consultation with Wyoming Game and Fish Department. It includes all NFS roads and trails within those areas.
3. Described Area S3 is deer and elk winter range, dates are from consultation with VVyoming Game and Fish Department. it includes aii NFS roads and trails within those areas.
4. Described Area S4 is to provide for late season OSV recreation. It includes all NFS roads and trails within that area.
5. Described Area S5 is to provide for non-motorized winter recreation. It includes all NFS roads and trails within that area.
6. Described Area S6 is the Medicine Wheel / Medicine Mountain Naiional Historic Landmark site. It includes all NFS roads and trails within that area.
The Arrowhead Bowl Described Area is shown on Exhibit B and is further described as the sledding area south of US Highway 14 and two miles from Burgess Junction. A oneway
motor vehicle loop is designated by signs on the outside of this area to allow the movement of persons without interfering with non-motorized activity.
IMPLEMENTATION
This Order shall be in effect from January 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. through December 31, 2025 at 12:00 a.m., unless rescinded.
Maps identifying the Described Areas, Roads, and Trails are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibits A and B. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibits, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.
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 Bighorn National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Sheridan, Wyoming, (307) 674-2600, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes Order 02-02-24-01 prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Areas, Roads, and Trails.
Signed and issued on January 1, 2025.