Matterhorn Mill Site Area Closure

Associated Documents

Forest Order

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests 

Norwood Ranger District 

PROHIBITIONS 

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

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(c) and (e). 

EXEMPTIONS 

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order: 

1. Any Federal or State or County contractor working in the area with approval from a Forest Service authorized officer. 

2. Employees or Contractors of Xcel Energy or San Juan Power Association working on repairing the penstock pipeline according to the work plans approved by the Forest Service authorized officer under the permits issued to these utilities. 

3. 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). 

4. Any Federal, State, or local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 

DESCRIBED AREA 

The Described Area is National Forest System (NFS) lands west of Colorado Highway 145, surrounding the Matterhorn Mill, and continuing south to NFS Road # 145.D, and continuing to private land boundaries on the west and north located in Section 5, Township 41 North, Range 9 West, New Mexico Prime Meridian. 

The Described Area does not include NFS Road# 145.D, which will remain open. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and the historic Matterhorn Mill. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from April 30, 2024 at 12:01am through December 31, 2029 at 6:00pm, unless rescinded prior to that date and time. 

2. A map identifying the Described Area 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 Norwood Ranger District in Norwood, (970) 327-4261, or Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Delta, (970)874-6600, 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 30, 2024.

JAMES PITTS 

Acting Forest Supervisor 

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

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