Ophir Pass Road Closure

Ophir Pass Road Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) roads 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 Road”):

1. Being on the Restricted 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. Forest Service Employees and Partners and Contractors of the Forest Service, including the State of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, working on the New Dominion Mine Removal Action project.
2. 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).
3. San Miguel County Road and Bridge staff performing road maintenance.
4. Landowners or residents needing access to the Described Road.
5. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED ROAD

The Restricted Road is located on the Norwood Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, San Miguel County, Colorado. The restricted road is the Ophir Pass Road (National Forest System Road 630), beginning just east of the Town of Ophir, CO and continuing to the top of Ophir Pass, as shown in the attached closure map (Exhibit A). It is located in Sections 35 and 36 of Township 42 North, Range 9 West, N.M.P.M.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety during hauling of materials and construction of a retaining wall for the cleanup action of hazardous mine waste at the abandoned/inactive New Dominion Mine.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 24, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. through September 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. unless rescinded. The road will only be closed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during this period and will be open between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and all day on the weekends.
2. A map identifying the Described Road 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. 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, CO (970) 327-4261, and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Delta, CO, (970) 874-6600, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road.

Signed and issued on August 17, 2026,

CHAD STEWART

Forest Supervisor

Digitally signed by CHAD STEWART

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests