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West Elk Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use
This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the West Elk Wilderness and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape.
Alert Start Date: March 21st, 2017
Alert End Date: December 31st, 2027
Order Number: GMUG-2017-01
Associated Documents
Forest Order
GRAND MESA, UNCOMPAHGRE AND GUNNISON NATIONAL FORESTS
WEST ELK WILDERNESS OCCUPANCY AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Pursuant to 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 551 and 36 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) §61.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands within the West Elk Wilderness of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (the "Restricted Area") and on all trails located within the Restricted Area (the "Restricted Trails") in the State of Colorado, as depicted on the maps attached as Exhibit A hereby incorporated into the order.
This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the West Elk Wilderness and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape.
PROHIBITIONS:
1. Entering or being in the Restricted Area with a group of more than 15 people or with a group of people and stock consisting of a combined total of more than 25. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(f)
2. Camping in the Restricted Area:
a. Within 100 feet of any lake, stream, pond, river, or other similar body of water or any National Forest System Trail.
b. Within 300 feet of Sheep Lake. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
3. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or wood burning stove in the Restricted Area:
a. Within 100 feet of any lake, stream, pond, river, or other similar body of water or any National Forest System Trail.
b. At or above treeline.
c. Within 300 feet of Sheep Lake. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)
4. Riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other pack or saddle animal in violation of posted instructions. Posted instructions include but are not limited to:
a. Hitching, tethering, hobbling, or fencing a horse or other pack or saddle animal within 100 feet of any lake, stream, pond, river, or other similar body of water or any National Forest System Trail.
b. Riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other pack or saddle animal within 300 feet of Sheep Lake.
c. Tying directly to trees except during loading and unloading. 36 CFR 261.58 (aa).
5. Possessing a dog, which is not under control or which is disturbing or damaging wildlife, other animals, people or property. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s)
NOTE: The term "under control" is defined as the dog being leashed and/or under direct verbal control of the dog's owner or handler at all times.
6. Shortcutting a switchback in a trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55 (e)
EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.S0(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
1. Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State or local officer, or a member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty.
This Order shall remain in effect from the date signed until December 31, 2027 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
Executed in Delta, Colorado this 21st day of March, 2017.
SCOTT G. ARMENTROUT
Forest Supervisor
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an
individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and
18 U.S.C. §§ 3559 and 3571