Motor Vehicle Seasonal Groomed Road Closures

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest
Divide and Conejos Peak Ranger Districts

Motor Vehicle Seasonal Road Closures

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 roads (NFSR) in the Divide and Conejos Peak Ranger Districts,
Rio Grande National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map
incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Roads"):
1. Using a motor vehicle, except for over-snow vehicles, on the Described Roads
from December 1st to April 1st annually. 36 CFR § 261.54(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 fire
fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
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).

DESCRIBED ROADS

The Described Roads are in Rio Grande County, Colorado, and include the entirety of the following NFSR:

NFSR 14 NFSR 265.1A NFSR 329 NFSR 330 NFSR 332 NFSR 345 NFSR 350 NFSR 360 NFSR 380 NFSR 381 NFSR 390 NFSR 410
NFSR 430 NFSR 505 NFSR 510 NFSR 513 NFSR 523 NFSR 527 NFSR 528 NFSR 532 NFSR 600 NFSR 610 NFSR 630

See the attached special order and map for a better view of the affected roads. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety by preventing damage to groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski routes.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from December 6, 2024, at 12:01 AM through December 5, 2026, at 12:00 AM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Roads is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to Rio Grande National Forest - 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 Divide Ranger District in Del Norte, Colorado at (719) 657-3321, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Roads.

Signed and issued on December 6, 2024.

ANDREW KELHER
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Rio Grande National Forest

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