Gila National Forest Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

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 Gila National Forest (including those lands identified on the Gila National Forest Map as Apache National Forest, within the State of New Mexico) described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area):

1. Camping for a period longer than 14 days within any consecutive 30-day period. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a).

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 Area includes all NFS lands within the boundaries of the Gila National Forest (including those lands identified on the Gila National Forest Map as Apache National Forest, within the State of New Mexico) as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety and to mitigate impacts on natural resources.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.  This Order shall be in effect from May 19, 2025, at 8:00 AM through May 18, 2027, at 8:00 AM, unless rescinded.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 Gila National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov).
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 Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, New Mexico, (575) 388-8201, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on April 21, 2025.
_______________________
Camille Howes
Forest Supervisor
Gila National Forest