Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project Occupancy and Use Restrictions

FOREST ORDER

USDA FOREST SERVICE

PIKE-SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS &

CIMARRON AND COMANCHE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS

Pikes Peak Ranger District

Occupancy and Use 

 Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, waters, and trails in and surrounding the Bear Creek Watershed of the Pikes Peak Ranger District, Pike National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Areas” and “Described Trails”).

The purpose of this Order is to implement requirements of the July 17, 2016, Final Decision Notice for the Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project designed to protect a unique population of greenback cutthroat trout, a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

DESCRIBED AREAS AND TRAILS:

The Described Areas are located in El Paso and Teller Counties, Colorado, and are referred to as the “Broader Bear Creek Area” within which is the “Bear Creek Watershed.” 

The Broader Bear Creek Area is the NFS lands located in: 

• Sections 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, Township 14 South, Range 67 West, 6th P.M. 
• Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36, Township 14 South, Range 68 West, 6th P.M. 
• Sections 5 and 6, Township 15 South, Range 67 West, 6th P.M.
• Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12, Township 15 South, Range 68 West, 6th P.M. 

The Bear Creek Watershed is the northern portion of the Broader Bear Creek Area and includes the NFS lands and waters, including Bear Creek and any tributaries of Bear Creek, located in:

• Sections 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, Township 14 South, Range 67 West, 6th P.M. 
• Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36, Township 14 South, Range 68 West, 6th P.M.  

The Described Trails, which are located in the Bear Creek Watershed, are the entire length of NFS Trail 666, Bear Creek Trail, and the portion of NFS Trail 776, Buckhorn Trail, beginning at its junction with NFS Trail 666 and ending at its junction with NFS Trail 667.

PROHIBITIONS:

1. Being in the Bear Creek Watershed, except if on an NFS Trail or NFS Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(a).
2. Camping within the Bear Creek Watershed.   36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e). 
3. Entering or using Bear Creek or any tributary stream of Bear Creek, within the Bear Creek Watershed.   36 C.F.R. § 261.53(a). 
4. Possessing a dog, or any saddle or pack animal, in the water of Bear Creek, or in the water of any tributary stream of Bear Creek, within the Bear Creek Watershed.   36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s). 
5. Possessing a dog, unless it is on a leash six feet or less in length, or any saddle or pack animal, unless it is harnessed or haltered with a lead rope or reins, on the Described Trails.  36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s). 
6. Possessing or using an over-snow vehicle, as defined in 36 C.F.R. § 212.1, on any NFS Trail within the Bear Creek Watershed or Broader Bear Creek Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(b) 
7. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire in the Broader Bear Creek Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a). 

EXEMPTIONS:

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

1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.     
2. Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

This Order will be in effect on September 9, 2022, at 12:01 AM, and shall remain in effect until September 8, 2027, at 11:59 PM or until rescinded, whichever event occurs first. 

Done at Pueblo, Colorado, this 8th day of September 2022.

                                                                         /s/ DIANA M. TRUJILLO

                                                                        Forest and Grassland Supervisor

                                                                        Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

                                                                        Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands