Brundage Mountain Resort Snowcat Route Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b) the following act is prohibited from December 15 to March 31
on the Area described in this Order, all within the administrative boundaries of the New Meadows and
McCall Ranger Districts, Payette National Forest.
1. Possessing or operating any over-snow vehicle, as defined under 36 CFR 212.1, on the
snowcat routes within the Area described below. 36 CFR 261.56

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (3), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with a permit specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
2. Personnel of Brundage Mountain Resort operating an over-snow vehicle as authorized in the
special use authorization for Brundage Mountain Resort's Cat-Ski area.
3. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in
the performance of an official duty
4. Persons crossing a snowcat route in the shortest distance possible, for the sole purpose of
accessing land on the opposite side of the route.
5. Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty.
6. Persons operating or possessing an over-snow vehicle on the shared Catskiing and
Snowmobile route shown on the attached closure area map.
7. Persons operating or possessing an over-snow vehicle on the snowcat route known as "The
Boulevard," which leads westerly from Goose Reservoir for 0.9 miles.

AREA DESCRIPTION

The Brundage Mountain Resort Snowcat Route Closure is described as the over-snow snowcat
routes installed by Brundage Mountain Resort within their permit boundaries, beginning at the northern
edge of Sections 32, 33, 34, 35, & 36, Township 21 North, Range 2 East, and of Section 31, Township
21 North, Range 3 East; then south on the Fisher Creek Road, #281, to its intersection with Road #451 at
Sater Meadows; continuing south on Rd #281 along the east side of Brundage Reservoir to the
intersection with Goose Lake Road, #257; continuing north on Road #257 to the Grouse Campground
and Trail #172; then westerly on Trail #172 and the Sixmile Creek drainage to its intersection with
Brown Creek Road, #294; then northerly on Road #294 to its intersection with the northern boundary of
Section 32, Township 21 North, Range 2 East.

The Area described above and depicted on the map attached hereto as exhibit A is within the
administrative boundaries of the New Meadows and McCall Ranger Districts, Payette National Forest,
Adams County, Idaho, Boise Meridian.

PURPOSE

The closure of the snowcat routes to over-snow vehicles provides for the safety of persons recreating or
using the area.

DEFINITIONS

Over-snow vehicle - A motor vehicle that is designed for use over snow and that runs on a track or
tracks and/or a ski or skis, while in use over snow. 36 CFR 212.1

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect through March 31, 2026.
2. A map identifying the closure Area is included as Attachment A, and made part of this Order.
3. Any violation of this Order is punishable by fine of not more than $5 ,000 for an individual or
$10,000 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months. [Title 16
USC 551, Title 18 USC 3571 (b)(6) 3581 (b)(7)].
4. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order in
the above-described area.
5. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Payette National Forest's
Supervisor's Office located in McCall, Idaho, 208-634-0700, the McCall Ranger Station
located in McCall Idaho, 208-634-0400, or at the New Meadows Ranger Station located in
New Meadows, ID, 208-347-0300.

Background and Intent

Brundage Mountain Resort has operated a permitted cat-ski operation on the Payette National Forest for more than 20 years. Within the permitted boundaries, Brundage Mountain Resort has installed, annually, up to 65 miles of snowcat routes for the purposes of providing cat-ski opportunities for their clients. In 2016, Brundage Mountain Resort's permit was reissued under a signed Decision Notice. During public scoping, safety concerns regarding the use of snowcat routes by motorized recreationists were brought forward to the McCall District. Specifically, the comments received by the District addressed the potential for collisions between snowmobile recreationists and the snowcat used to groom routes within Brundage Mountain Resort's permit boundary. 

In the signed Decision, it was specifically stated that a response to this issue would be addressed through a Special Order. The Order would be established to close snowcat routes within the permit boundaries to motorized users as a direct line of travel. Motorized recreationists would still be permitted to cross over the snowcat routes within Brundage Mountain Resort's permit boundaries, with the exception of the Granite Mountain area. (The Granite Mountain Over-Snow Vehicle Closure #0412-546 closes a specific Area to all motorized users and falls under a different time frame. Brundage Mountain Resort's Cat-Ski permit overlaps with the Granite Mountain Area addressed in that Order.) 

Over-Snow Restriction Plan 

This Order implements a seasonal over-snow special Order that will restrict over-snow motorized use on snowcat routes within Brundage Mountain Resort's permit boundaries annually from December 15th to March 31st .