By Shannon Lukens.
The U.S. Forest Service is temporarily closing California Park in northwest Routt County. This is the area near where the Rainbow Gathering is assembling for their celebration of world peace July 1-7. The closure goes into effect Saturday, June 25. It is to protect the natural resources in the California Park area of Routt National Forest, because it is a Special Interest Area.
People traveling in to the area must stay on Routt County Road 80 and cannot get off the road to park. There is parking on the north side of the closure. Signs are up. Law Enforcement is there, enforcing the No Parking signs along the road. Parking is not allowed on the south part of the closure.
Aaron Voos is the Public Affairs officer with the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and he says it is to protect the natural resources and biodiversity in the area. “This will help address the concerns we are hearing from the public.” These are things like the sandhill cranes, the elk and deer, and the trees and the meadow areas.
Voos says the Forest Service is not closing the Rainbow Gathering area. They are protecting the sensitive and at-risk natural resources in the area of the gathering, which is in California Park. This is consistent with the SIA, which is Special Interest Area.
On the map, the indentations in the closure area are private lands or state land.
Here is the map followed by the press release and the state order.
Forest Service News Release
Temporary area closure established in California Park
The Forest Order protects natural resources during a period of high public use.
(STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.) June 24, 2022 – As of Saturday, June 25, 2022, a temporary area closure will be effective to protect natural resources in the California Park area, Routt National Forest.
The Forest Order was established for natural resource protection because of the high probability for excessive public use leading up to and during the Fourth of July holiday.
The area is managed for biological diversity, geological, historical, paleontological, and other values as described in the Routt National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The closure location is just south of the Rainbow Family gathering location.
“This is one of the forest management tools we have available to utilize during times of extreme circumstances,” said Forest Supervisor Russ Bacon. “Closing portions of the Forest is not something we take lightly. In this case though, it is the right thing to do.”
Specific area closure boundaries are defined in the Forest Order and accompanying map. Several roads and a trail are included in the area closure, and the land impacted coincides with the California Park Special Interest Area.
Routt County Road 80 will remain open.
The affected National Forest area is in northwest Colorado, on lands managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District in northwest Routt County, Colo.
Coordination with Routt County, as well as Colorado Parks and Wildlife, has occurred.
Information about the Routt National Forest and any Forest Orders currently place can be found on our website.
Notices, links to news articles, and additional resources are available on social media: @FS_MBRTB on Twitter or @FSMBRTB on Facebook.
Order Number: 2022-MBRTB-HPBE175
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
MEDICINE BOW-ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST
Area Closure for California Park Special Interest Area
PROHIBITIONS:
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited within the area and on the roads and trails described in this Order, all within the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Routt Counties within the State of Colorado:
1. Going into or being upon the area described below that is closed for the protection of resources. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Using any motor vehicle on the road(s) described below. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on a trail. 36 CFR § 261.55(a).
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 fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
AREA AND ROADS DESCRIBED:
All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests as depicted on the attached map at Exhibit A. Beginning at the intersection of Forest Road 42 and County Road 80, encompassing 300 feet south of the Forest Road 42 heading southeast toward Meaden Peak including Forest Road 153, heading south including headwaters of Armstrong Creek and Forest Road 151, continuing east and then south to include headwaters of Second and First Creeks, heading west and just south of First Creek, continuing south to Forest boundary and excluding private parcel, headed west along Forest boundary excluding private land, heading north to base of Quaker Mountain, heading north and northwest along south end of private parcel, heading west and then southwest to private parcel south of Elkhead Creek, heading northwest and south of Elkhead Creek to northwest to Stukey Creek private parcel, including Forest Road 115 and 115.1A, excluding Colorado State Land Board parcel, heading north and west of Jokodowski Creek, north and including Forest Road 150.2E and
Order Number: 2022-MBRTB-HPBE175
Trail 1144, north to base of Saddle Mountain, south 300 feet of Forest Road 117, and east to County Road 80.
Closed roads and trails include: National Forest System Road (NFSR) 115, 115.1A, 150.2E, 151, 153, and a portion of NFS Trail 1144 within the California Park Special Interest Area.
Open roads include: County Road 80 will remain open.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect the area from actual or potential damage due to public uses as described in the Routt National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, Guideline for Management Area 2.1.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order will be effective on the 25th of June, 2022, at 0800, and will remain in effect until July 15th, 2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
2. A Map identifying the area closure is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.
and at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbr/alerts-notices
3. Unless otherwise defined in this Order, the terms in this Order are defined in accordance with 36 C.F.R. § 261.2. If there are terms in this Order that are not defined in the Order or in Forest Service regulations, their meaning is determined by their plain language definition.
4. Any violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000.00 for organizations and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581 (b)(7)).
5. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests Supervisors office located in Laramie, WY, telephone number 307-745-2300.
6. This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in/on the same area, roads, and trail described by this Order.
Done at Laramie, Wyoming this 24th day of June, 2022
6/24/2022
Russell M. Bacon Date
Forest Supervisor
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland
Order Number: 2022-MBRTB-HPBE175
Assessment of Need (Justification), CRIS and Enforcement Plan
1. Background: The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests are proposing to temporarily close the described area (California Park Special Interest Area of the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District) from use by the public. The purpose of this order is to protect the area from actual or potential damage due to public use. The restricted area is shown on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A. An Order is needed to be able to cite persons unwilling to comply with this special order.
2. Intent of Subpart B order: To assure the protection of and management of biological diversity, geological, historical, paleontological, and other values of the Special Interest Area for which it was identified. The purpose of this Order is to provide for restrictions or closures available under 36 CFR, Subpart B, when necessary, to protect the area from actual or potential damage due to public uses as described in the Routt National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, Guideline for Management Area 2.1.
3. NEPA Compliance: This Order falls under FSH 1909.15, 31.12, (1): “Orders issued pursuant to 36 CFR Part 261 – Prohibitions to provide short-term resource protection or to protect public health and safety”. This Order will not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment and, therefore, is categorically excluded from documentation in an EIS or an EA. The only physical changes to the environment associated with this Order will be signs posted temporarily for the duration of the closure. No effects to extraordinary circumstances are anticipated.
4. Civil Rights Impact Statement: This Order does not constitute a “major action” as defined in FSH 1709.11, 31.1. It merely minimizes the impacts to resources; as such, no one group is expected to be displaced or experience a disproportionate burden as a result of this Order.
5. Enforcement Plan: The following activities will occur in order to implement this special order in a manner that results in public acceptance and safety: Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers, Forest Protection Officers, Sheriff Deputies, Fire Wardens, Fire Prevention Technicians, firefighting crews, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officers will patrol the affected area to enforce as well as educate the public on the closure area.
Potentially affected individuals and other Forest users will be notified of this Order with the issuance of a press release, which will be routed through appropriate media outlets. Furthermore, the Order will be posted on the Forest website, at the Forest Supervisor’s Office, and at all ranger district offices on the Forest. When implemented, the prohibitions listed in the Order will be posted in reasonable locations including, but not limited to: electronic reader boards, day use areas, developed campgrounds, visitor centers, and some dispersed camping areas.
Action
Responsible Official
Date
Prepare proposed order
Melissa Dressen, Resource Advisor, Medicine Bow-Routt NF, Region 2, USFS
06/23/22
Review proposed order (Law Enforcement)
Canuto Molina, Operations Section Chief RFLL IMT, LEI, USFS
06/23/22
Approve proposed order
Russel Bacon, Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland