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Conditions of Use - Forest Order 09-15-11-02
As a visitor to the National Tallgrass Prairie, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors.
These rules are available to you online below or at any office of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Please take time to read and understand them. If you have additional questions, please call your local Forest Service Office for clarification.
In addition, the Prairie Supervisor may issue Special Orders and Closures that will close or restrict the use of certain areas if the need arises. Emergency closure orders will be posted as an Alert so visitors to the Forest can reasonably be expected to be familiar with them.
Alert Start Date: January 31st, 2012
Alert End Date: N/A
Order Number: 09-15-11-02
Forest Order
Under authority of the Act of Congress of June 4, 1897, as amended (16 USC 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)). These restrictions are in addition to those enumerated in Code of Federal Regulations Title 36, Part 261, Subpart A, and become effective when signed and will remain in effect until rescinded.
Prohibitions:
The following acts are prohibited on the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and are necessary for public health, safety, and to protect National Forest property.
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except in designated areas (36 CFR 261.52a)
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. (36 CFR 261.52f)
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:
- Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100.1a: or
- Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). (36 CFR 261.52j)
- Bring in or possessing an animal, other than a seeing eye dog, or upon a leash not longer than six feet or otherwise under physical restrictive control. (36 CFR 261. 53 e)
- It is prohibited to go into or be upon any area which is designated, posted or signed closed. (36 CFR 261.53f)
- Storing equipment, personal property, or supplies. (36CFR 261.57f)
- Camping is prohibited, to camp and/or establish a camp. (36 CFR 261.58e)
- Parking or leaving a vehicle in violation of posted instruction. (36 CFR 261.58g)
- Being publicly nude. (36 CFR 261.58j)
- Entering or being in or on a body of water. (36 CFR 261.58k)
- Being in an area or upon the area between 10:00PM and 4:00AM. (36 CFR 261.58l)
- Possessing, storing, or transporting any part of a tree or plant, as specified. It is prohibited to possess cannabis plant(s) or any substance derived from the manufacture of cannabis. (36 CFR 261.58 t)
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. (36 CFR 261.58 m). Exception of a firearm during designated hunting season for deer and turkey.
- Possessing, storing, or transporting any part of a tree or plant to include native or invasive species without a permit. (36 CFR 261.58 t)
- Fishing. (36 CFR 261.58v)
- Hunting or trapping and other designated areas. (36 CFR 261.58v). Exception: Hunting permitted only for turkey and deer during designated hunting season.
- Riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal off designated trails, trailheads or routes in violation of posted instruction. (36 CFR 261.58aa)
- Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by state law, in violation of the laws of the state of Illinois. (36 CFR 261.58bb)
This order supersedes and rescinds Forest Order 5300-15-04-01 and Forest Order 5300-15-04-03 signed June 4, 2004.
Exemptions:
Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
- Persons with a permit from the authorized Forest Service Officer specifically authorizing an otherwise prohibited act or omission.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force working in the performance of an official duty.
Enforcement:
Violations of these Prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. [16 USC § 551, 18 USC §§ 3559 and 3571]