East Bear Gulch Trail Seasonal Closure Order

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

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &  

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands 

San Carlos Ranger District 

East Bear Gulch Trail (NFST 1333) - Seasonal Closure  
 

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the San Carlos Ranger District, Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”): 

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area annually from April 1st through July 31st.  36 C.F.R. § 261.53(a)  

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 

The Described Area is further defined as the NFS lands within the following boundaries: beginning at a point ten yards north of the intersection of East Bear Gulch Trail (NFST 1333) and Fremont County Road 143; then west along a line that is ten yards north of the trail for 2,904 feet (0.55 miles) to the intersection with the upper contour of the cliff face; then north and east along the upper contour of the cliff face to Fremont County Road 143 at a point 633 feet (0.12 miles) north of East Bear Gulch Trailhead; then southwest and south along the west side of Fremont County Road 143 to the point of beginning. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) nesting sites. The Peregrine Falcon is listed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as a species of State Special Concern, and guidelines have been identified that calls for no human encroachment activities within ½ mile of the nest cliff(s) during the nesting season. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall remain in effect from August 2, 2023, at 12:00 am, through August 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm, or unless rescinded. 
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands - Alerts & Notices (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. Contact the San Carlos Ranger District at (719) 269-8500, and Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office 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 Area. 

/s/ DIANA M. TRUJILLO  

Forest and Grassland Supervisor 

Pike-San Isabel National Forests & 

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands