Silver Lake Occupancy Restrictions, Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, VT

Order Number: 2010-04

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Green Mountain National Forest

Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District
Silver Lake 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 in the Silver Lake Recreation Area on the Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont, said areas being described and designated as shown on the map set forth at Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and made a part hereto:

1. Operating an internal combustion engine (36 CFR 261.58(d))
2. Camping within five hundred (500) feet of the shoreline of Silver Lake, except at designated campsites (36 CFR 261.58(e))
3. Using a developed campsite by more than six (6) persons (36 CFR 261.58(f))
4. Storing or leaving a raft or boat (36 CFR 261.58(p))
5. Possessing or transporting any motor or mechanical device capable of propelling a watercraft through the water by any means (36 CFR 261.58(w))

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 THE PROHIBITION WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER UNTIL SPECIFICALLY WITHDRAWN BY TERMINATION ORDER OF THE FOREST SUPERVISOR.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 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.

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 April 25, 2010, at Rutland, Vermont.
/s/ Colleen Pelles Madrid
Forest Supervisor
Green Mountain National Forest