Mount Sneffels Wilderness Occupancy and Use

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and § 261.50 (b) the following are prohibited within the Mount Sneffels Wilderness of the Ouray and Norwood Ranger Districts of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Ouray and San Miguel Counties, State of Colorado, including specific zones within the Wilderness described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into his order as Exhibit A (“the Restricted Area and Trails” and “East Dallas Creek Area”).

This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape.

PROHIBITIONS

Group size:

1. In the Described East Dallas Creek Area, entering with a group size of more than 6 people for an overnight camping group. 36 CFR § 261.58(f).

2. In the remainder of the Restricted Area, entering the Restricted Area with a group size of more than 15 people. A combination of stock and people shall not exceed 25 per group, with the maximum amount of people per combined group limited to 15. 36 CFR

   § 261.58(f)

3. Camping:

   1. In the Described East Dallas Creek Area, camping is prohibited in the Blue Lakes Basin at the Middle and Upper Blue Lakes, as depicted in exhibit A.

      36 CFR § 261.58(e);

   2. In the remainder of the Described East Dallas Creek Area for more than 2 consecutive nights. 36 CFR § 261.58(a); and
   3. Within 100 feet of any NFS trail or any lake, stream, pond, river, or other similar body of water. 36 CFR § 261.58(e).
4. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or wood-burning stove (36 CFR § 261.52(a)):
   1. In the Described East Dallas Creek Area;
   2. Within 100 feet of any NFS trail or any lake, stream, pond, river, or other similar waterbody; and
   3. Above tree line.
5. Disposing of debris, garbage or other waste in violation of posted instructions. Instructions to include but not limited to: (36 CFR § 261.57(g))
   1. In the Described East Dallas Creek Area, removing all human waste by means of a specifically engineered waste containment system;
   2. In the remainder of the Restricted Area, burying all solid human waste in catholes at least 6” deep, located at least 200 feet from NFS Trails and waterbodies for all areas outside; and
   3. Packing out all trash, refuse or food waste.
6. Storing equipment, personal property, or supplies. 36 CFR § 261.57(f)
7. Hitching, tethering, hobbling or fencing a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions. Instructions to include, but may not be limited to:
   1. Prohibiting hitching, tethering, hobbling, or fencing within
      1. 100 feet of any NFS Trail; or
      2. any lake, stream, pond, river, or similar water body.
   2. Prohibiting tying directly to trees except during loading and unloading. 36 FR § 261.58(aa); or
   3. Possessing or storing saddle, pack or draft animals overnight in the East Dallas Creek Area. 36 CFR 261.58(s)
8. Possessing a dog that is: (i) off-leash; (ii) not under direct verbal control of the dog’s owner or handler at all times; or (ii) disturbing or damaging wildlife, other animals, people or property. 36 CFR. § 261.58(s)
9. Shortcutting a switchback in a trail. 36 CFR § 261.55(e)
10. Possessing, storing, or transporting any plant material, such as hay or straw, unless it has been certified weed-free or has been chemically or mechanically processed to destroy viable seeds (e.g., pelletized feed and rolled grains). 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(t).
11. Possessing or using a wagon, cart, or other vehicle, including a wheelbarrow, bicycle or game cart. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(h).
12. In the Described East Dallas Creek Area, possessing or storing any food for human or animal consumption, refuse, or items that may have remnants or smell like food or refuse (including personal hygiene products, beverages, unburned food or garbage residue from fire pits or stoves, or empty food or beverage containers), unless these items are:
    1. Attended by a person who is within 100 feet of the items and has direct sight of the items during the daytime (½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset);
    2. Stored in bear-resistant container certified through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee;
    3. Stored more than 100 yards from any campsite if meat carcasses or game parts; and
    4. Being eaten, being prepared for eating, being transported, or being prepared for storage described in b-d. (36 CFR. § 261.58(cc)).

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.

DESCRIBED AREA AND TRAILS

The Restricted Area is all NFS lands within the boundary of the Mount Sneffels Wilderness located in Ouray and San Miguel Counties, Colorado, in the Ouray and Norwood Ranger Districts of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The Described East Dallas Creek Area includes areas within the Restricted Area as depicted in Exhibit A.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from June 1, 2026, at 1159 through June 1, 2029, at

   1159, unless rescinded.

2. A map identifying the Restricted Area (Mount Sneffels Wilderness) and the Described Area (East Dallas Creek Area) 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/alerts/gmug/alerts-notices.

3. 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.

4. Contact the Ouray Ranger District in Montrose, Colorado, (970) 240-5300, the Norwood Ranger District in Norwood, Colorado, (970) 327-4261, and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Delta, Colorado, (970) 874-6600, for more information about this Order.
5. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on June 1, 2026.

Digitally signed by CHAD STEWART

CHAD STEWART

Forest Supervisor

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests