Over-Snow Vehicle, Road and Trail Prohibitions

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Shoshone National Forest
Wind River Ranger District
Over-Snow Vehicle, Road, and Trail Prohibitions

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited from December 16th through May 15th annually on National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails on the Wind River Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area” and “Described Roads and Trails”):
1. Possessing or using an over-snow vehicle off National Forest System roads in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.56
2. Possessing or using an over-snow vehicle on the Described Roads and Trails. 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.54(a), 261.55(b)
 

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 resource in the performance of an official duty.
 

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS
Described Area: The NFS lands on the Wind River District in areas commonly known as East Fork Basin, Alkali Basin, Button Draw, Wayne’s Hole, Bear Creek Canyon, Windy Gap, and Spring Mountain and within the following boundaries:
Beginning at the junction of NFS Road (NFSR) 285 and Burroughs Creek; southerly along Burroughs Creek to the Forest boundary; east along the forest boundary to the Wind River Indian River Indian Reservation boundary; northerly the reservation boundary to the Washakie Wilderness boundary; westerly along the wilderness boundary to Bear Creek;
Order Number: # 02-14-05-25-03
south along Bear Creek to Bain Creek; west along Bain Creek to NFSR 556.2A; west along Bain Creek and including portions of Sections 30, Township 43 North, Range 105 West, Sections 23, 24, 25, and 26 Township 43 North, Range 106 West, to Charlie Creek, west along Charlie Creek to NFSR 505; west along NFSR 505 until its junction with NFSR 285, westerly along NFSR 285 to its junction with Burroughs Creek.
Described Roads and Trails: All NFSRs and NFS Trails (NFSTs) within the Described Area, including all or portions of NFSTs 816 and 848, and NFSRs 277, 277.2A, 277.2B, 277.2D, 501, 503, 505, 505.1A. 505.1F, 505.1G, 506, 506.1A, 506.1B, 556, 556.2A, 719, and 730. The Described Roads do not include NFSR 285, which borders the described area.
 

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and mule deer on crucial winter range in accordance with the Shoshone National Forest Plan and in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
 

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect until 12:00 am on May 15th, 2028 or until rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, and Trails 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/alerts/shoshone/alerts-notices.
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 Wind River Ranger District in Dubois, Wyoming (307) 455-2466, and Shoshone National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Cody, Wyoming, (307) 527-6241, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.