Single Publication

Mill Lake Fire Road and Trail Closure

 Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, trail and areas as described below, within the Stevensville Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest, Ravalli County, Montana.

PROHIBITIONS

1. Being on the Described Roads and Trails, 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a). It is prohibited to be on the roads and trails listed below.

EXEMPTIONS

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

1. Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1).

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in performance of an official duty. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(4).

CLOSED TRAILS

1.     Mill Creek, National Forest System Trail #364

2.     Cow Creek, National Forest System Trail #3

3.     Hauf Lake, National Forest System Trail #309

4.     Sears Lake, National Forest System Trail #312

5.     Sheafman Creek, National Forest System Trail #82

6.     A section of Fred Burr, National Forest System Trail #38, from the west end of Fred Burr Reservoir (Township 7N, Range 21W, SE quartersection of Section 15) to its intersection with Mill Creek Trail #364

CLOSED ROADS

1.     Cow Creek, National Forest System Road #438, uphill of the gate at the Bitterroot NF boundary line (Township 7N, Range 21W Section 33)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is for public health and safety due to fire activity from the Mill Lake fire in the Mill Creek drainage and related suppression activities.

DESCRIBED AREA

All lands on the Stevensville Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest accessible by the above listed roads and trails in the Mill Creek, Sheafman Creek and Fred Burr drainages.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.     This Order shall be in effect from September 4th, 2022 until fire conditions recede and this order is rescinded.

2.     Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.

3.     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 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

4.     Contact the Stevensville Ranger District, (406) 777-5461, and Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Hamilton, MT, (406) 363-7100, for more information about this Order.

5.     This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road and Trails.