Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a):

The following are prohibited on all National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands:

1. Camping at any location within the same 20-mile radius for more than 14 days within any continuous 30-day period. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a)
2. Camping within 100 feet of a body of water (such as a lake, stream, pond, or river) unless in a Forest Service developed recreation site or designated dispersed site.).

36 C.F.R. 261.58(e)

The following are prohibited on the NFS lands within the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described further and shown on Exhibits D and F (Cimarron National Grassland) and Exhibit C & E (Comanche National Grassland):

3. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except in

   Forest Service developed recreation sites. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)

4. Camping except in developed recreation sites 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)

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.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from April 5, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. through December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.
2. Maps and tables identifying the Described Areas are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibits A - F. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibits, go to Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

- Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)

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. Contactthe Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands at (719) 553-1400 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Areas.

Signed and issued on  04/04/2024       

/s/ Ryan Nehl

Forest and Grassland Supervisor Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands