Forest Order 09-19-17-02 Developed Campgrounds

Associated Documents

Forest Order

Under the authority of the Act of Congress dated June 4, 1897, as amended (16 USC 551) and the Secretary of Agriculture’s regulation 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on  the Allegheny National Forest, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 

Campsite occupancy shall not exceed:

1. More than two motor vehicles per site (a motor vehicle is defined under 36 CFR 261.2 ). [36 CFR 261.58(i)]
2. More than one wheeled camping unit per site (camping unit is defined as: motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, pop-up trailer, conversion van, or bus. [36 CFR 261.58(d)]
3. Eight individuals per site. [36 CFR 261.58(f)]

The following acts or omissions are prohibited:

1. Entering or remaining in a campground from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., except for persons who are registered occupants in such campgrounds. [36 CFR 261.58(c)]
2. Camping in excess of 14 days within a 30 day period. [36 CFR 261.58(a)]
3. Camping at a campsite in excess of one half hour after arrival at said campsite unless the required camping fee has been paid as per posted instructions. [36 CFR 261.58(a)]
4. Camping at a campsite after 2:00 p.m. unless payment of camping fee for said campsite bas been paid as per posted instructions. [36 CFR 261.58(a)]

THIS RESTRICITION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. THEY ARE IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL PROHIBITIONS SET FORTH IN 36 CFR PART 261. THE PROHIBITIONS WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER UNTIL SPECIFICALLY WITHDRAWN BY TERMINATION ORDER OF THE FOREST SUPERVISOR. 

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order: 

1.    Persons with a permit authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2.    Persons who have paid for and/or received permission from campground managers to exceed these limits.
3.    Any Federal, State, or local officer or member or an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Violation of any of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both, under authority of Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 3559 and 3571.

Done at Warren, Pennsylvania this _______day of _____________, 2017.

Justification for Order

The purpose of this order is to minimize impact in the developed campgrounds of the Allegheny and to set forth regulations for the administration of these campgrounds.  It is also intended to aide in limiting group sizes and, subsequently, potential disturbances to other campers.  The order also provides consistency throughout the forest to ensure that rules and regulations are the same in all campgrounds. 

This order is an updated and revised edition stemming from a previously existing and in effect order from May of 2000. 

This update is to ensure that consistent and accurate information is being portrayed to the public and also to reflect the recent change in Forest leadership staffing. 

Enforcement Plan 

This order will be enforced by law enforcement officers as well as forest protection officers.  The primary method of enforcement will be through regular patrols, monitoring, and documentation.  These patrols may or may not include other law enforcement agencies.

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