Verde River Seasonal Bald Eagle Nesting Closure

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Prescott National Forest
Verde Ranger District
Verde River Seasonal Bald Eagle Closure

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are
prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Verde
Ranger District, Prescott National Forest, described below and shown on the attached
map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (Described Area/Roads/Trails):
1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R § 261.53(a).
2. Being on the Described Roads. 36 C.F.R § 261.54(e).
3. Being on the Described Trails. 36 C.F.R § 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons floating in water-borne craft upon the waters of the Verde River.
Persons may not land or beach within the Described Area/Roads/Trails, except
for emergencies and for scouting rapids.
2. 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).
3. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or
firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
4. Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization for an electric transmission line, an oil or gas pipeline, communications site, or any other nonrecreation
special use.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS
All NFS lands, roads, and trails within the boundary starting at the intersection of NFS
Road (NFSR) 574 and NFSR 9709R at the entry gate, then following the unnamed
tributary east until the junction with the Verde River, adjacent to the Verde Falls, then
following the westerly shoreline of the Verde River downstream for approximately 2 miles
to the Sycamore Canyon confluence, then following west along the southern boundary of
Township 12 North, Range 5 East, Sections 1 and 2 to the powerline, then following the
powerline northwest to Chasm Creek, then following Chasm Creek west along the north
side approximately 250 feet east of NFSR 574, then following north along the west side
for approximately 500 feet back to the point of origin at the entry gate on NFSR
9709R/NFSR 574.
NFSR 9709R is closed starting from the intersection of NFSR 574 following east until its
terminus at the Verde River; NFS Trail 16 is closed starting from NFSR 9709R following
east until its terminus at the Verde River; NFS Trail 508 is closed at the trail junction with
the powerlines, north of the trailhead at Rodeo Flat Tank, following to the junction with
NFSR 9709R.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect nesting bald eagles during their breeding season
(December 1 through June 30).

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect each year from December 1 through June 30,
commencing December 24, 2022, at midnight through June 30, 2026, at 12:00
p.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area/Roads/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/prescott/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 Verde Ranger District in Camp Verde AZ, (928) 567-4121, and
Prescott National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Chino Valley AZ, (928) 777-2200,
for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in
the same Described Area/Roads/Trails.

Signed and issued on December23, 2022.
______________________________
Dale Deiter
Forest Supervisor
Prescott National Forest

Contact Name:

Contact Number: