Cube Cove Road Closure Forest Order Admiralty Island National Monument

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST
Admiralty Island National Monument, Alaska
Order No: 10-05-34-26-09

FOREST ORDER

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited on the Tongass National Forest within Admiralty Island National Monument:
     Going into or being upon National Forest System Road #SHA0273 and any area within 0.5 miles of this      road from milepost 0.0 (former site of the Cube Cove Log Transfer Facility) to Ward Creek, as shown on      the attached map. 36 CFR § 261.53(e) and § 261.54(e).

     Going into or being upon any road and any area within the entire Lake Kathleen and Peanut Lake      drainages, as shown on the attached map. 36 CFR § 261.53(e) and § 261.54(e).
 

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), each of the following are exempt under this order.
1.Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1).
2.Any Federal, State, or Local Law Enforcement Officer, or member of any organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(4).

IMPLEMENTATION

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
Implementation
1.This Order shall be in effect from June 17th, 2026, through August 18th, 2026, unless rescinded sooner.
2.A map identifying the road and closure area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.
3.Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 CFR Parts 200-299.
4.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 USC §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Juneau, Alaska, this 18th day of June 2026.
Janelle Crocker
Acting Forest Supervisor
Tongass National Forest

ASSESSMENT OF NEED AND ENFORCEMENT PLAN
1.Background: The legacy road system within the Cube Cove Restoration Project area has notbeen open to motorized use since the US Forest Service purchased the parcels (22,890 acresbetween 2016 and 2020), but recent road clearing has made it accessible. The Cube Covemainline road (SHA0273) extends from the LTF to the Ward Creek bridge, but an extensive roadsystem remains throughout five drainages. USFS public use cabins on Lake Kathleen and LakeFlorence are primarily reached by floatplane.
2.Intent of Subpart B order: The order is necessary to ensure public health and safety. As part ofan aquatic restoration project, explosive material will be transported and staged along themainline road before being deployed at multiple sites throughout the Lake Kathleen and PeanutLake drainages. The closure is intended to prevent access by and disturbance to the public onand around the mainline road as well as the entire Lake Kathleen and Peanut Lake drainages.The activities may incur falling trees, airborne debris, landslides, and sudden loud noise whichcould compromise safety.
3.Enforcement Plan: Notifications will be conducted through regular Forest Service/Districtchannels with direction and input from the Forest Public Affairs Office. Enforcement may takeplace through patrols at the discretion of the LEO. The project crew will be deploying remotecameras and alarms near each site to monitor and warn people and wildlife, and the materials willbe visibly inspected daily by project personnel. This proposed Forest Order will expire on August18th, 2026.

                                                             ORDER CHECKLIST
Action                                                        Responsible Official(s)                                       Initials / Date
Prepare proposed order                           Appropriate staff with LEI input
NEPA requirements completed                Appropriate staff
Review proposed order                            Patrol Captain or SAC
Review by OGC                                       OGC
Approved proposed order                        Forest Supervisor or Regional Forester
Post order (36 CFR 261.51)                     District Ranger / Forest Supervisor
Prepare news release for order                District Ranger / PAO
Prepare enforcement plan                        Appropriate staff with LEI input

Exhibit A. Map of the closure area, extending from the Cube Cove LTF southward to Ward Creek in Admiralty Island National Monument.

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