Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking Lot Winter Restrictions

Associated Documents

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited from November 1
through May 1 on the Road and Area described in this Order, all within the administrative
boundaries of the McCall and New Meadows Ranger Districts, Payette National Forest.
1. Parking overnight at the Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking Lot. 36 CFR 261.58(g)
2. Exceeding combined vehicle and trailer length of 54 feet at the Gordon Titus Upper
Elevation Parking Lot. 36 CFR 261.56
3. Operating an over-snow vehicle on the Thorn Creek Snowmobile Route from Gordon
Titus Upper Elevation Parking to Goose Creek Overlook in excess of posted speed limits
(20 MPH). 36 CFR 261.54( d)
4. Using an over-snow vehicle at the Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking lot and trailhead
that exceeds noise emissions for that developed recreation site. 36 CFR 261.56

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 ( e ), the following persons are exempt from this order:
1. Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization
specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
2. Any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer, or member of an organized
rescue or fire fighting force in the perfo1mance of an official duty.
3. Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty.

AREA and ROAD DESCRIBED

Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking Area: A parking lot located within Township 19
North, Range 2 East, Section 12.
Thorn Creek Snowmobile Route: located on National Forest System Road #257 from the
Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Trailhead Parking Lot located within Township 19 North, Range
2 East, Section 12 continuing approximately 2.5 miles to Goose Creek Overlook located within
Township 20 North, Range 2 East, Section 36.

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

DEFINITIONS

Snowmobile noise emissions for the Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Trailhead Parking Lot- Maximum
noise emissions for snowmobile use (at either idle or moving) at this developed
recreation site shall not exceed a sound rating threshold of 88 decibels at 4 meters (13 feet).
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

PURPOSE

To provide for public health and safety related to noise and to reduce user conflicts at high use
winter recreation areas.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect through May 1,
2029.
2. A map identifying the above-described road is attached to and made part of this
Order.
3. Any violation of this order is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 for an
individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six
months [Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 3571(b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7)].
4. This Order supersedes any previous Order or restriction(s) prohibiting the same, or
similar acts prohibited by this Order, on the road covered by this Order.
5. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the McCall District
Office, McCall, ID, 208-634-0400, Payette National Forest Supervisor's Office,
McCall, ID, 208-634-0700 or at the New Meadows District Office, New Meadows,
ID, 208-347-0300.

Background and Intent
The previous special order# 302 was signed in 1999 to implement the 1998 Upper Elevation
Winter Recreation Parking Area Decision that authorized construction and operation of the
Upper Elevation Winter Recreation Parking Area, also known as the Goose Creek Falls
Trailhead Parking area and the Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking area. This decision
included issuing a seasonal special order relating to the use of Goose Lake Road, the Thorn
Creek Snowmobile Route and the Goose Creek Falls Trailhead Parking Area. Because of
change in jurisdiction of the Goose Lake Road out of Forest Service control, the Special Order
needed to be updated to reflect that change in jurisdiction. Additionally, the referenced decibel
level in the Decision has been updated to a sound level threshold of 88 decibels at 4 meters (13
feet) which, due to the logarithmic nature of sound levels, corresponds to the '78 decibels at 50-
feet' sound law. The result is that illegally altered exhaust systems can now be identified with an
enforcement tool that is safe to administer in the field.

Over-Snow Restriction Plan
This Order implements the seasonal Road and Area prohibitions that will restrict use of the Gordon
Titus Upper Elevation Parking Lot and the Thorn Creek Snowmobile Route from Gordon Titus
Upper Elevation Parking to Goose Creek Overlook annually from November 1st through May 1st_
It removes the vehicle length restriction on Goose Lake Road.

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