Camping Occupancy Restrictions, Hector Ranger District, NY

Order Number: 2014-01

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Finger Lakes National Forest

Hector Ranger District
Camping Occupancy Restrictions

PROHIBITIONS

Under the authority of the Act of Congress dated June 4, 1897, as amended (16 U.S.C. 551), and pursuant to the Secretary of Agriculture's Regulations set forth at 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart B (36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b)), the following acts and omissions are prohibited on the Finger Lakes National Forest, New York:

DEVELOPED RECREATION SITES

1. Camping at a campsite for longer than one-half (1/2) hour after arrival at said campsite unless a fee has been paid per posted instructions. (36 CFR 261.58(a))
2. Camping at a campsite after 2:00 p.m. unless payment of a camping fee for said campsite has been paid as per posted instructions. (36 CFR 261.58(e))
3. Occupancy of campsites at Blueberry Patch Campground by more than 8 persons per site. (36 CFR 261.58(f))
4. Possession of more than two (2) motor vehicles per site at the Blueberry Patch Campground. (36 CFR 261.58(i))

FOREST WIDE

5. Camping for a period longer than 14 days in any 30 day period. (36 CFR 261.58(a))
6. Camping within fifty (50) feet of a pond, stream, or designated trail, EXCEPT for area already developed and maintained for camping. (36 CFR 261.58(e))
7. Camping on National Forest pasture lands when livestock are present. (36 CFR 261.58(e))
8. Camping for more than two (2) continuous nights at any trail shelter. (36 CFR 261.58(a))

THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO PROTECT NATIONAL FOREST PROPERTY. THEY ARE IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL PROHIBITIONS SET FORTH IN 36 CFR PART 261. THE PROHIBITION WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER UNTIL SPECIFICALLY WITHDRAWN BY TERMINATION ORDER OF THE FOREST SUPERVISOR.

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 firefighting force in the performance of an official duty (36 CFR 261.50(e)(4)); and,
2. Persons with a valid permit signed by the District Ranger or Forest Supervisor in their possession that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act or omission (36 CFR 261.50 (e)(1)).

PURPOSE

• To promote public safety and to protect National Forest property.
• To deter long-term occupancy of National Forest lands that can lead to issues with sanitation and natural resource impact.
• To provide fair and reasonable access to National Forest lands by all persons.
• To mitigate natural resource impacts as well as impacts of large groups in developed recreation sites.
• To ensure the safety and security of Forest users staying in developed campgrounds.

PENALTY

Violation of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both, under authority of Title 16 U.S.C. 551, Title 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571.

Signed and issued on June 25, 2014, at Rutland, Vermont.
/s/ Colleen Pelles Madrid
Forest Supervisor
Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests