Single Publication

 West Bitterroot Emergency Roads, Trails, and Campground 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, roads and trails within the Stevensville Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest, Ravalli County, Montana described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area” and “Described Trails”): PROHIBITIONS
1. Being on the Described Trails, 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a). It is prohibited to be on the roads and trails listed below.2. Being on the Described Roads, 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e). It is prohibited to be on the roads and trails listed below.3. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof, 36 C.F.R 261.58(b).  It is prohibited to be in the campground 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 from trailhead origin (T6N, R21W, Sect.4) to its intersection with Fred Burr Trail #38.2. Cow Creek, National Forest System Trail #3 from trailhead origin (T7N, R21W Sect.33) to the intersection of Mill Creek Trail #364.3. Hauf Lake, National Forest System Trail #309 from the intersection of Mill Creek Trail #364 (T7N R22W Sect. 35) to Hauf Lake (T6N, R22W Sect. 10, 11).4. Sears Lake, National Forest System Trail #312 from the intersection of Mill Creek Trail #364 (T7N R22W Sect. 32) to Sears Lake (T6N R 22W Sect.5).5. Sheafman Creek, National Forest System Trail #82 from trailhead origin (T7N R22W 
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 #364.7. Big Creek, National Forest System Trail #11, from trailhead origin (T8N R21W Sect.8. South Fork Big Creek, National Forest Trail #118, from intersection of Big Creek Trail #11 (T9N R22W Sect.34) to South Fork Lake (T8N R22W Sect. 17).9. Blodgett Creek, National Forest Trail # 19, from trailhead origin (T6N R21W Sect.20) to Blodgett Pass (T6N R23W Sect.14), and Blodgett Lake (T6N R23W Sect. 27).10. High Lake, National Forest Trail #303, from intersection of Blodgett Creek Trail #19 (T6N 22W Sect.16) to High Lake (T6N R22W Sect.20,21,28,29).11. South Fork Bear Creek, National Forest Trail #304, from intersection of Bear Creek Trail #5 (T7N R22W Sect. 2) to South Bear Lake (T7N R23W PB38, PB39). 
CLOSED ROADS 
1. Cow Creek, National Forest System Road #438, The road system starting at the gate at the Bitterroot NF boundary, heading west to its end  (T7N, R21W Section 33)2. Mill Creek, National Forest System Road #1328, the road system starting at Forest Service Property Boundary, 1/2 mile west of Bowman Rd, heading west to its end. (T6N, R21W, Sect. 3) 
CLOSED CAMPGROUND 
1. Blodgett Canyon National Forest Campground, the developed campground including all campground sites and day use area. (T6N, R21W, Sect.17)
PURPOSE The purpose of this order is for public health and safety due to fire activity from the Mill Lake Fire, Blodgett Lake Fire, Big Creek Fire, and Bear Creek Fire and related suppression activities.
IMPLEMENTATION  
1. This Order will be in effect from September 9th, 2022 and will remain in effect, until fire conditions subside, and this order is rescinded, but no later than December 31st, 2022.2. A map identifying the closed roads, trails, and campground is attached and made part of this Order.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 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, 
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 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.5. 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.6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road and Trails.

Signed and issued on September 12th, 2022 _______________________ Forest Supervisor Bitterroot National Forest