Chimney Rock National Monument Occupancy and Use Restrictions

Forest Order SJNF-2022-04

FOREST ORDER USDA FOREST SERVICE 
SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST
Pagosa Ranger District
Chimney Rock National Monument Occupancy and Use Restrictions

Pursuant to Title 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 551, and Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited within the Chimney Rock National Monument. The affected areas are depicted on three maps, hereby attached and incorporated as Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and Exhibit C.

The purpose of this Order is to protect the objects of the monument through implementing restrictions prescribed in the Chimney Rock National Monument Final Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

PROHIBITIONS

1. Camping within the monument, as depicted in Exhibit A [36 C.F.R. § 261.58 (e)].
2. Possession or use of an over-snow vehicle within the monument, as depicted in Exhibit A [36 C.F.R. § 261.54 (a) and 36 C.F.R. § 261.56].
3. Entering or being within ¼ mile of Companion Rock, depicted in Exhibit B, between March 15 and July 31, excluding the Great House Trail (National Forest System Trail (NFST) 632) [36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (a)].
4. Riding or tethering a horse or other saddle or pack animal on the Great Kiva Trail (NFST 699), the Great House Trail (NFST 632), or the archaeological sites accessed by these trails, as depicted in Exhibit B [36 C.F.R. § 261.58 (aa)].
5. Possessing a dog (except for service dogs) while on the Great Kiva Trail (NFST 699) or the Great House Trail (NFST 632), as depicted in Exhibit B [36 C.F.R. § 261.55 (c)].
6. Climbing or otherwise being on the two rock spires, Chimney Rock, and Companion Rock, from the base of the spires to their summits, and including the ridge extending from the terminus of the Great House Trail (NFST 632) to Companion Rock and the rock saddle that connects the two spires, as depicted in Exhibit C.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50 (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 any member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

This Order supersedes, rescinds, and replaces Order SJ-2016-10, issued September 30, 2016.

This Order becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on March 30, 2022, and remains in effect until March 31, 2027 or until rescinded, whichever event occurs first.

Done at Durango, CO this 30 day of March 2022.

Signed and issued on: 04/01/22
/s/ Kara Chadwick
Forest Supervisor

A violation of the prohibitions in this Order is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a legal entity other than an individual, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. (16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559 and 3571).

ASSESSMENT OF NEED

Purpose of Order

The purpose of this Order is to protect the objects of the monument through implementing restrictions prescribed in the Chimney Rock National Monument Final Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This order is a reissuance of Order #SJ-2016-10.

Scope of Order

This Order will implement specific regulations that pertain to occupancy and use within the Chimney Rock National Monument. Specific prohibitions are: camping; possession or use of over-snow machines; entering or being in a 400 acre area surrounding Chimney Rock and Companion Rock between March 15 and July 31, excluding the Great House Trail; entering or being in the three acre area immediately  surrounding and including Chimney Rock and Companion Rock; riding or tethering a horse or other saddle or pack animal on the Great Kiva Trail or the Great House Trail; and possessing a dog (except for service dogs) while on the Great Kiva Trail or the Great House Trail.

The Order will be in effect through March 30, 2027, unless rescinded sooner.

Signed and issued on: 04/01/22
/s/ Kara Chadwick
Forest Supervisor

CIVIL RIGHTS IMPACT ANALYSIS

Order for National Forest System Lands on the San Juan National Forest

Introduction

The San Juan National Forest will reissue an order containing several prohibitions at the Chimney Rock National Monument as analyzed and approved in the Chimney Rock Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement (2015). Many of the prohibitions have already been in place via other special orders, with some modifications identified in Management Plan being added to this order. The prohibitions will help to prevent damage to natural and archaeological resources. Specific prohibitions are: camping; possession or use of over-snow machines; entering or being in a 400 acre area surrounding Chimney Rock and Companion Rock between March 15 and July 31, excluding the Great House Trail; entering or being in the three acre area immediately surrounding and including Chimney Rock and Companion Rock; riding or tethering a horse or other saddle or pack animal on the Great Kiva Trail or the Great House Trail; and possessing a dog (except for service dogs) while on the Great Kiva Trail or the Great House Trail.

Civil Rights Impact Statement

The Order will have no impacts on civil rights, as the prohibitions will apply to all individuals equally. No one group will be affected more than another group.

DSigned and issued on: 04/01/22
/s/ Kara Chadwick
Forest Supervisor

ENFORCEMENT PLAN

Scope

Order # SJNF-2022-04 to be signed by the Forest Supervisor, Kara Chadwick, will prohibit a variety of activities within the Chimney Rock National Monument. These are: camping; possession or use of over-snow machines; entering or being in a 400 acre area surrounding Chimney Rock and Companion Rock between March 15 and July 31, excluding the Great House Trail; entering or being in the three acre area immediately surrounding and including Chimney Rock and Companion Rock; riding or tethering a horse or other saddle or pack animal on the Great Kiva Trail or the Great House Trail; and possessing a dog (except for service dogs) while on the Great Kiva Trail or the Great House Trail. These prohibitions were identified in the Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan prepared and approved in 2015 for the monument. This order is a reissuance of Order #SJ-2016-10.

Posting

The order will be posted in the San Juan Public Lands Center in Durango and at each Ranger District office as required in 36 CFR 261.51. Kara Chadwick, Forest Supervisor of the San Juan National Forest, will send the order to the Visitor Information Specialists at these locations.

Signs will be posted at the monument in strategic locations.

Coordination With Other Agencies

Numerous other agencies were consulted during the planning process for the monument plan.

Patrol Activities

Forest Protection Officers (FPOs) and/or Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) will patrol on a regular basis to ensure that posting of the order is adequate, maintained and is being complied with.

Patrolling of the areas will take place anytime of the day Sunday through Saturday. No set schedule for patrolling will be established. Patrolling will be concentrated based upon public safety and or area usage patterns.

Enforcement Strategies

Violators will be advised of the restrictions and the actions needed to come into compliance. A Violation Notice or Warning Notice may be written to the Violator subject to the discretion of the FPO or LEO.

Persons Authorized

Order # SJNF-2022-04 exempts:

1. Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or any member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an offical duty.

Media Access

The order will not adversely impact the media.

Signed and issued on: 04/01/22
/s/ Kara Chadwick
Forest Supervisor