Lizard Head Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

Forest Order SJNF-2021-01 / GMUG-2021-12 

FOREST ORDER USDA FOREST SERVICE 
UNCOMPAHGRE AND SAN JUAN NATIONAL FORESTS
NORWOOD AND DOLORES RANGER DISTRICTS 
Lizard Head Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and § 261.50(b), the following acts are prohibited within the Lizard Head Wilderness of the Norwood and Dolores Ranger Districts of the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests, Dolores and San Miguel Counties, State of Colorado (the “Restricted Area”) and on all National Forest System (NFS) Trails within the Restricted Area (the “Restricted Trails”).

The Restricted Area and the Restricted Trails are depicted on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A. The Restricted Area includes Navajo Basin, which is shown in greater detail on the map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit B.

This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Lizard Head Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape.

PROHIBITIONS

1. Entering or being in the Restricted Area with a group of more than 15 people or more than 10 stock animals. 36 CFR § 261.58(f)

2. Camping within 100 feet of any NFS trail or any lake, stream, pond, river, or other similar body of water, except at existing campsites within Navajo Basin, which is shown on Exhibit B. 36 CFR § 261.58(e)

   Existing Campsite – A site that shows obvious and persistent physical evidence of previous, recurring use, such as vegetation loss and soil compaction. Bare ground is typical of an existing campsite. Fire scars, tree damage, soil erosion, user-created camp furniture or fire rings, or use-created trails may also be present. An existing campsite must be selected that is large enough to accommodate a group without causing further disturbance and expansion of the site.

3. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or wood-burning stove:
   1. Within 100 feet of any NFS trail or any lake, stream, pond, river, or other similar water body;
   2. Above tree line; or
   3. Within Navajo Basin depicted on Exhibit B and located in portions of Sections 4, 5, 6, Township 41 North, Range 10 West, N.M.P.M.; a portion of Section 1 in Township 41 North, Range11 West, N.M.P.M., and portions of Section 31, 32, 33, Township 42 North, Range 10 West, N.M.P.M. 36 CFR § 261.52(a)
4. Storing equipment, personal property or supplies. 36 CFR § 261.57(f)
5. Hitching, tethering, hobbling or fencing a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions. Instructions to include, but may not be limited to:
   1. Prohibiting hitching, tethering, hobbling, or fencing within 100 feet of any NFS Trail or any lake, stream, pond, river or similar water body; or
   2. Prohibiting tying directly to trees except during loading and unloading. 36 CFR § 261.58(aa)
6. Possessing a dog that is: (i) off leash; (ii) not under the direct verbal control of the dog’s owner or handler at all times; or (iii) disturbing or damaging wildlife, other animals, people or property. 36 CFR § 261.58(s)
7. Shortcutting a switchback in a trail. 36 C.F.R .§ 261.55(e)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
2. Any Federal, State, or local office, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

This Order shall be in effect until rescinded or until July 31, 2026, whichever occurs first. Executed in Delta, Colorado this 13th day of July 2021.

Signed and issued on: 07/13/21
/s/ Kara Chadwick
Forest Supervisor, SJNF

Signed and issued on: 07/13/21
/s/ Chad Stewart
Forest Supervisor, GMUG

Executed in Durango, Colorado this 13th day of July 2021.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 USC § 551 and 18 USC §§ 3559, 3571, 3581.