Sopris and Dillon Ranger Districts, Occupancy and Use Prohibition

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
White River National Forest
Occupancy and Use Prohibition

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Sopris and Dillon Ranger Districts, White River National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A-B (the “Described Area”):

1. Possessing or operating a motorboat in the Described Area unless the motorboat has first had an inspection from official aquatic nuisance species (ANS) inspectors before launch. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(n)

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
The Described Areas are the waters of Ruedi Reservoir located in the Sopris Ranger District and Green Mountain Reservoir located on the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest as shown on Exhibits A-B.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to provide for natural resource protection by preventing infestation of aquatic nuisance species such as zebra and quagga mussels and provide for public safety.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.  This Order shall be in effect from 4/22/2026 at 12:01 a.m. through 4/1/2031 at 12:01 a.m. unless rescinded.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/whiteriver/alerts
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 White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office in 970-945-2521, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Area.
    

/S/Brian Glaspell Signed 4/21/2026

Forest Supervisor

White River National Forest