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  • Public Health and Safety Closure Within the V-Plow Timber Sale Area

    This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands within Township 11S, Range 5E, Sections 21 & 22 of Pope County, Illinois, as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.

Alert Start Date: September 30, 2025

Alert End Date: N/A

Order Number: Order Number: 09-08-25-05

Associated Documents

Signed Closure Order Exhibit A: Map of Closure Area

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the area described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Hidden Springs Ranger District, Shawnee National Forest, Pope County, Illinois.

  1. Going into or being upon an area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e).

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

  1. Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
  2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
  3. Persons actively engaged in the removal of forest products under contract by the US Forest Service.
  4. Persons approved by the District Ranger and escorted by designated Forest employees to view sale activities in a safe manner.

RESTRICTED AREA
The Restricted Area is within Township 11S, Range 5E, Sections 21 & 22 as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order. 

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect health and safety during National Forest Resource Management Activities.
IMPLEMENTATION

  1. This Order will be effective on September 30, 2025 at 1600, and shall remain in effect until November 30, 2026 at 1600, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
  2. A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.
  3. Any violation of this prohibition 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 (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581 (b)(7)).
  4. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Hidden Springs Ranger District located in Vienna, IL, telephone number 618-658-2111, and at the National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Harrisburg, IL, telephone number 618-253-7114.
  5. This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.

Done at Harrisburg, Illinois, this 30th of September, 2025.
Felipe Cano
Forest Supervisor
Shawnee National Forest

Contact Number:

618-253-7114

Contact Email:

sm.fs.sha.r9.mail@usda.gov

Maps

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A map showing the closure area within the V-Plow timber sale.
A map showing the closure area within the V-Plow timber sale.

Last updated September 30, 2025

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