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Bowden Cave Closure
Closes the Bowden Cave near ceiling collapse.
Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2008
Alert End Date: N/A
Order Number: 21-95
Forest Order
ORDER OF THE FOREST SUPERVISOR
CLOSING AN AREA TO ENTRY, TO WIT:
BOWDEN CAVE
CHEAT-POTOMAC RANGER DISTRICT
MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST – WEST VIRGINIA
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 Bowden Cave Cheat Ranger District, Randolph County West Virginia. The said area being described and designated as shown on the map set forth as Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and made a part hereto:
The following is prohibited:
(1) Being in or entering into the area described, which is closed for the purpose of protection of the public health and safety (This order is specific to the area of ceiling collapse between the sign in the cave passage on the north side of the collapse and the bat friendly barricade installed on the south side of the collapse within the Bowden Cave system located on National Forest System land near Bowden, in Randolph County, West Virginia). 36 CFR 261.53 (e).
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 THE PROHIBITIONS WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER UNTIL SPECIFICALLY WITHDRAWN BY TERMINATION ORDER OF THE FOREST SUPERVISOR.
Pursuant to the provision of 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission (36 CFR 261.50(e)(1)); and,
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty (36 CFR 261.50(e)(4)).
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000.00 for an individual or $10,0000.00 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (16 U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S. C. 3559 and 3571).
Dated this _17th day of December, 2008 , at Elkins, West Virginia.
United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
/s/ Clyde N. Thompson
CLYDE N. THOMPSON
Forest Supervisor
Monongahela National Forest