Forest Order 09-05-00-26-04 All Caves are closed to visitors due to White Nose Syndrome

Prohibitions

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Mark Twain National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):

1. Entering any cave or mine on National Forest System lands within the Mark Twain National Forest. 36 CFR 261.53(a).

Exemptions

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Volunteers conducting surveys or monitoring of the prohibited areas in accordance with the official duties as assigned by a Forest Service Officer.
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
3. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

Described Area

Any cave and/or mine located on all National Forest System lands within the external boundaries of the Mark Twain National Forest.

Purpose

The purpose of this Order is to protect endangered, threatened, and sensitive bat species by reducing the potential of human disturbance in caves and mines as well as reducing the chance of humans being vectors of Geomyces destructans(Gd) also known as White-nose syndrome (WNS).

Implementation

1. This Order shall be in effect from 8/20/2026 through 8/20/2031, unless rescinded.
2. 2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/marktwain/alerts
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Rolla Missouri, (573) 364-4621, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar act in the same Described Area.