Falls Creek Closure Area, Camping, and Motor Vehicle Travel Restrictions

Associated Documents

Forest Order

                                                    Order Number:  02-13-08-25-02 

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

San Juan National Forest 

Columbine Ranger District 

Falls Creek Closure Area, Camping, and Motor Vehicle Travel Restrictions

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Falls Creek area near Durango, Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Areas”):

1. Entering or being upon Described Area B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(c)
2. Camping within Described Areas A and B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
3. Possessing or using motor vehicles off National Forest Service Roads within Described Areas A and B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.56

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.
3. Persons in possession of an entry permit, or persons accompanied by a Forest Service employee in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS

Described Area A pertains to NFS lands within the Falls Creek delineated on the map and located on the east side of County Road #205 in Sections 21, 28 and 33 and west of County Road # 205 in Sections 19, 20 and 29, Township 36 North, Range 9 West. New Mexico P.M.

Described Area B is all NFS lands on the west side of County Road #205 to the ridgeline in sections 29 and 32 and the southernmost drainage in section 20, Township 36 North, Range 9 West. New Mexico P.M.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect Public health and safety, property and Objects or areas of archeological interest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (c), (e), (f).

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from December 12, 2025, at 12:00 pm through December 31, 2028 at 11:59 pm, unless rescinded.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 https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/newsroom/forest-orders.
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 Columbine Ranger District in Bayfield, Colorado, (970) 884-2512, and the San Juan National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Durango, Colorado, (970) 247-4874, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes Order Numbers SJ-1993-11, SJ-1994-05, and SJ-1995-25 prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on: 12/12/2025

/s/Steve Hattenback

Forest Supervisor