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Forest Order 09-05-21-26-03 National Forest System Road 566 Closure
This is a temporary closure for FS Road 566 up to Coy Bald Trailhead to avoid risk of entrapment from flooding waters during the peak rain season.
Access to the Coy Bald Trailhead requires crossing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land—and traversing the Cane Creek low‑water crossing, a flood‑prone site known to become impassable that has stranded trailhead visitors and users in the past.
Alert Start Date: May 20, 2026
Alert End Date: N/A
Order Number: 09-05-21-26-03
Contact Information
Contact Name: Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District
Contact Number: 417-683-4428
Contact Email: sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Prohibitions
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) road in the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District, Mark Twain National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road”):
- Use of any Motorized Vehicle: 36 CFR 261.54(a)
Exemptions
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- The private property owner on that section of National Forest System Road 566 that traverses across their private property.
- 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)].
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
Described Area/Roads/Trails
All of National Forest System Road 566 located in Sections 7, 8, 17, 18, Township 23 North, Range 18 West as shown in Exhibit A.
Purpose
The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety by closing NFSR 566 to avoid the risk of entrapment from flood water events until a reasonable alternative can be evaluated.
Implementation
- This Order shall be in effect from the date of signature through one year, unless rescinded.
- A map identifying the Described Road 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District in Ava, MO at (417) 683-4428, and the Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Rolla, MO at (573) 364-4621, for more information about this Order.
- This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road.
Maps
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