Safe Storage, Possession, and Handling of Food and Refuse - Forestwide

For the purpose of minimizing adverse interactions between humans, bears, and other wildlife, and provide for visitor safety, pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation 261.50(a), the following uses are restricted on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective September 16, 2024, through 30 June 2029, unless rescinded earlier. PROHIBITIONS: 1. Possessing or storing any human, pet, or livestock food (excluding certified weed-free hay); container, packaging or any other material containing food or food residue; or related refuse, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.58(cc). 2. Possessing, storing, or transporting any bird, fish, or other animal or parts thereof, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.58(s). THIS ORDER REQUIRES THAT: 1. All food and related refuse must be acceptably possessed or acceptably stored at all times unless it is being prepared for eating, being eaten, being transported, or being prepared for acceptable storage. 2. Any harvested animal carcass must be acceptably stored unless the carcass is being field dressed, transported, being prepared for eating, or being prepared for acceptable storage. Animal carcasses must not be left or disposed of within 0.5 miles of any developed recreation site. 3. No person shall provide food of any kind to any wildlife species, except for the lawful use of bait under current fish and game regulations of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. PROHIBITION AREA DESCRIPTION: All National Forest System lands within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. EXEMPTIONS: Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order: 1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 2. Any Federal or State official placing baits to capture animals for research or management purposes as part of their official duties. 3. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically exempting them from this Order. Safe Storage, Possession, and Handling of Food and Refuse Order #: 06-17-00-24-01 DEFINITIONS: Acceptably Possessed: a) Possessed or attended by a person(s) that is physically present within 100 feet and direct sight of the accessible food, or b) Possessed or attended by such a person(s) for the purpose of field dressing lawfully taken animal carcasses, transporting any food or animal carcass, preparing any animal carcass or food for eating, or eating any food. Acceptably Stored: a) Stored in bear-resistant container certified through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, or b) Stored in a hard sided vehicle or boat secured from wildlife entry, or c) Stored within a hard-sided building secured from wildlife entry, or d) Suspended at least 10 feet clear of the ground at all points and four feet horizontally from any supporting tree or pole, or e) Stored within an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved and operating electric fence, or f) Stored by other methods approved by the Forest Supervisor in writing. g) Animal carcasses killed or harvested (and parts thereof) within ½ mile of any developed recreation site must be acceptably stored, possessed as identified in a-f above, or moved to a distance beyond ½ mile from any such developed recreation site by the party(-ies) responsible for killing or harvesting such animal. This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. Executed in Wenatchee, Washington, this Monday, September 16, 2024.