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Forest Order 09-09-24-05: June Storm Restrictions
This Emergency Forest Order effective June 24, 12:01am prohibits entry into areas impacted by the June 18 storm across northern Minnesota. See Exhibit A for a full list of areas impacted, Exhibits B & C are related maps for visual use.
Damage assessments and surveys continue to be accomplished across the 3 million acres of Superior National Forest roads and lands in northeastern Minnesota. Heavy rainfall from the June 18, 2024 storm caused numerous washouts and flooding. Water levels on lakes, streams, and rivers continued to rise and caused impacts in many areas. This was a dynamic and slow-moving situation and some forest roads that were passable one day, where then impacted the next day. Forest Service officials continue to coordinate with local, county, and state partners as everyone in the region is experiencing the effects of this weather event. On-going repairs and replacements continue across the forest.
Alert Start Date: June 23rd, 2024
Alert End Date: N/A
Order Number: 09-09-24-05
Forest Order
Order 09-09-24-05 (pdf) | Implementation and Enforcement Plan (pdf) | Civil Rights Memorandum (pdf) | NEPA Memorandum (pdf) |
Exhibit A- Restrictions List (Updated 11/7/2024) (pdf) | Exhibit B- Map (Updated 11/7/2024) (pdf) |Exhibit C (pdf)
EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER
RESTRICTING OCCUPANCY AND USE
June Storm Restrictions
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 location/ site list, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, and further depicted visually by maps in Exhibit B & C, within the Superior National Forest, Minnesota.
- Going into or being upon the 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:
- Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. This includes contractors and their equipment as well as Forest Service employees associated with the project.
- Private lands owners accessing property within the closure area.
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
Restricted Area
The Restricted Areas include all roads, lands, waters, trails, portages, wilderness entry points, and recreation sites as shown in Exhibit A.
Purpose
These emergency restrictions are necessary for the public's health and safety due to storm damage and includes all roads, lands, waters, trails, portages, canoe routes, wilderness entry points, and recreation sites as shown in Exhibit A. These emergency restrictions are until the adverse effects have been mitigated or eliminated and measures have been implemented to avoid future recurrence.
Implementation
- This Order will be effective on June 24, 2024, at 12:01 am, and shall remain in effect until terminated by the Forest Supervisor, or until June 24, 2029, whichever occurs first.
- Map(s) identifying the Restricted Area(s) are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit B and C.
- 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)).
- Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Superior National Forest Supervisor’s Office located in Duluth, telephone number 218-626-4300.
- This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.
Dated this 23 day of June 2024, at Duluth, Minnesota.