Forest Hill Road and Area Closure

Associated Documents

Forest Order

GRAND MESA, UNCOMPAHGRE AND GUNNISON NATIONAL FORESTS 

Gunnison Ranger District 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and road in the Gunnison Ranger District, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (“Described Road and Area”): 

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 CFR § 261.53(e)

2. Being on the Described Road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e) 

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 force in the performance of an official duty. 

3. Partners and Contractors of the Forest Service working on the CERCLA Non-Time Critical Removal Action project, including EPA and Trout Unlimited staff and contractors.

DESCRIBED AREA AND ROAD 

The Described Road is the portion of the Trail Creek Spur Road (NFS Road 748.2J), beginning at its intersection with Rocky Brook Road (NFS Road 748) and continuing to the end of the Trail Creek Spur in the Taylor Park area of the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Gunnison County, Order #: GMUG-2024-15 Page 2 of 3 Colorado. 

The Described Area is all NFS lands as depicted in Exhibit A, known as “Forest Hill” dispersed camping area, located on either side of the Trail Creek Spur Road, as shown on Exhibit A. 

The Described Road and Area are located in Section 06 of Township 13 South, Range 83 West, N.M.P.M. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety due to the presence of mine tailings that contain elevated levels of lead and arsenic. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 1, 2024 at 8:00am through November 31, 2026 5:00pm, unless rescinded.

2. A map identifying the Described Area and Road is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. 

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 Gunnison Ranger District in Gunnison, CO, (970) 641-0471, and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Delta, CO, (9870) 874-6600, for more information about this Order. 

6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in or on the same Described Area and Road. Signed and issued on July 31, 2024. 

CHAD STEWART 

Forest Supervisor 

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests

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