Temporary Area, Road, and Trail Closure for the El Porvenir Construction Project

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

U.S. Forest Service Santa Fe National Forest 

Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District 

Temporary Area, Road, and Trail Closure for the El Porvenir Construction Project

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 and roads in the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Areas/Roads/Trails”): 

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e). 

2. Operating a motorized vehicle on the described road. 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 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. 

3. Landowners crossing NFS lands to access their private property. 

DESCRIBED AREAS/ROADS/TRAILS 

The closure area includes:

• Forest Road 261 starting at the Santa Fe National Forest boundary then west to the end of the road at El Porvenir Campground and Hermit’s Peak and El Porvenir Trailheads on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest.
• El Porvenir Campground and Hermit’s Peak (223) and El Porvenir Trailheads (247).
• Forest Trail Beaver Creek starting at Hermit’s Peak (223) and El Porvenir Trailheads (247) north to the intersection of Hollinger Trail (219).
• Forest Trail Hermit’s Peak starting at Hermit’s Peak (223) and El Porvenir Trailheads (247) north to the intersection of Chavez Trail
• Forest Trail Las Dispensas (222) starting at Hermit’s Peak (223) and El Porvenir Trailheads (247) north to the intersection of Chavez Trail 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect the public’s safety while the El Porvenir Construction project is being completed. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from June 5, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. through October 31, 2025, at 12:00 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/r03/santafe/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 Pecos Ranger District in Pecos, N.M. (505) 603-6121, the Las Vegas Ranger District in Las Vegas, N.M., (505) 425-3534, or the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Santa Fe, N.M., (505) 438-5300, for more information about this Order. 

6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Areas/Roads/Trails. 

Signed and issued on June 4, 2025.

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