USFS Regional Fire Restrictions and Closure for Developed Recreational Sites

From the USFS:
Fire Restrictions and Closure for Developed Rec Sites for all Forest Service lands in the States of Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming in effect from 12:01 am on April 7th, 2020 and will remain in force until May 31st, 2020 or until rescinded, whichever event occurs first.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
USDA Forest Service officials are temporarily closing all developed recreation sites and asking the recreating public to disperse across National Forest system lands within the Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming) in groups of no greater than 10 individuals.

• All trails, trailheads, and parking facilities remain open. Trail users must adhere to social distancing and COVID-19 prevention orders and guidelines issued by local, state and federal authorities while using trails.
• Given the demonstrated risk of exposure to the virus from large, concentrated gatherings of people, USDA Forest Service officials are asking the recreating public to comply with state and local health orders.
• To minimize the impact and spread of the virus, developed recreation sites such as restrooms, picnic areas, and campgrounds are closed on National Forest system lands in the Rocky Mountain Region through at least April 30, 2020.

While trails and roads may be open for use on National Forest system lands in the Rocky Mountain Region, visitors need to prepare for very limited services.

• Law enforcement and/or search and rescue operations may be limited due to response for current health emergencies. High risk or backcountry activities that may increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided.
• These closures and restrictions are in place to prevent the drawdown of fire and medical resources from our local county and state resources. If these resources are responding to and assisting in an incident on forest, that limits their assistance to community response to other health related emergencies.

Visitors to National Forest system lands in the Rocky Mountain Region must be prepared to pack out all trash and human waste. We ask the recreating public to follow Leave No Trace principles when visiting their public lands, now more than ever.

If you pack it in, you need to pack it out. Pack out all trash and garbage.

Dispose of human waste properly by digging a hole 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Ensure you pack out all toilet paper and hygiene products.

USDA Forest Service officials will review this guidance on an ongoing basis and will consider lifting restrictions based on conversations with states and local governments.

File Code: 5300 Date: April 7, 2020
Subject: Developed Recreation Site Closure Order

I am issuing Regional Order No. R2-2020-01 to provide for public and employee health and safety by closing all Developed Recreation Sites on National Forest System lands within Rocky Mountain Region (Region 2) in the States of Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious and potentially fatal disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus which leads to respiratory illness. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. As of April 3, 2020, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 239,279 cases of COVID-19 nationwide with over 5,000 cases in the five state Rocky Mountain Region alone.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. As a result, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The President's Coronavirus Guidelines suggest that individuals avoid social gatherings in groups of 10 or more people, remain home wherever possible, and avoid discretionary travel. In addition, in states with evidence of community transmission, the Guidelines require closure of indoor and outdoor venues where groups of people congregate. All five states have seen some degree of community spread of the coronavirus. As a result, the Governors of Colorado and Kansas have issued executive orders which direct all individuals living in the state to stay home or at their place of residence. These requirements were implemented to preserve the public health and safety, and to ensure the healthcare delivery system is capable of serving all residents.

There are 17 National Forests and 7 National Grasslands in the Rocky Mountain Region. Stay at home orders in surrounding states along with the closures of ski areas and National Parks has led to an increase in visitation to many national forest and grassland sites across the Region. Despite State orders in Colorado and Kansas, droves of people have been gathering in national forests and grasslands. This increased recreational use is posing a challenge for COVID-19 response and the health and safety of not only the public, but Forest Service and local law enforcement personnel.

Therefore, this closure order is needed to protect public and employee health and safety, along with natural and cultural resources by prohibiting people from visiting and utilizing designated recreation sites on national forests and grasslands. This order will close key recreational facilities such as campgrounds, day use sites, and picnic areas as these are attractions that draw large numbers of people and require significant management oversight, especially during the high-use conditions now being realized. This management burden puts Forest personnel at additional risk of exposure to COVID-19. And in several instances already, Forest employees have run out of the necessary personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies to perform site maintenance activities safely while mitigating the risk of exposure.

While designated recreation sites will be closed, the general Forest area including the extensive trail system will remain open and available to the public. Hiking and walking outdoors is widely considered beneficial to maintaining one's health and is a deterrent to contracting COVID-19. It is the intent of the Agency and the Region to maintain trail access to the extent practicable.

Trails are accessed by trailheads. Trailheads vary across the states with regard to their level of development. Some are simply dirt pull-outs along the roadside, while others are highly developed paved parking areas with multiple restrooms, running water systems, and picnic benches. Most visitor groups on trails consist of less than 10 people and once they park and head out on their hike they can maintain more than 6 foot distance between others. In addition, the timing of use is often dispersed throughout the day. Where trail conditions and use levels are such that risks cannot be mitigated, local Line Officers may take additional actions to spread out use.

Forest and grassland officials across the Region have reached out to their local government officials to discuss this order and all were supportive of the action. Public Affairs Officers and Specialists have connected with the public and fielded calls related to the open or closed status of facilities. National Park Service, and some State and local governments have taken similar steps already, closing park areas, campgrounds, and similar recreation infrastructure.

I have concluded that this decision may be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. This action falls within the category identified in 36 CFR 220.6(d)(l) - prohibitions to provide short-term resource protection or to protect public health and safety - and does not require documentation in a decision memo, decision notice, or record of decision. I have determined that there are no extraordinary circumstances associated with this temporary closure. Implementation of the decision may begin immediately.

/s/ Jennifer Eberlien


Acting Regional Forester

Enclosure

USDA Forest Service officials are providing recreation opportunities where possible, while keeping employees, the public, and our communities safe from the virus. We are also working to protect communities, as well as both natural and cultural resources, safe from unwanted human-caused wildfires.

Until further notice, the following fire-related activities are prohibited on National Forest system lands within the Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming):

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, and sheepherder’s stoves.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.

Exceptions to the prohibited fire-related activities include:

• Persons with a Forest Permit, Form FS-7700-48, specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order in the areas listed above.
• Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty is exempt from Prohibitions.
• Persons using pressurized liquid or gas devices (stoves, grills or lanterns) with shut-off valves in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials are exempt from Prohibition #1.
• Residents, owners or lessees within the areas listed above who are using a fire in a permanent dwelling with an effective and properly installed USDA- or SAE- approved spark arrestor, are exempt from Prohibition #1.

During this fire restriction period, igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or smoking on national forests and grasslands is a violation of the law and may result in an appearance in federal court, fines, and possible time in jail.

Fire restrictions enhance public safety, protect natural and cultural resources, and help prevent human-caused wildfires.

• Several criteria are used to determine when to implement fire restrictions, including fire activity levels, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, and the availability of emergency and firefighting resources.
• Additional restrictions may be required if conditions warrant.

Given the demonstrated risk of exposure to the virus from large, concentrated gatherings of people, USDA Forest Service officials are asking the recreating public to comply with all state and local health orders as well as USDA Forest Service Orders.

Law enforcement and/or search and rescue operations may be limited due to response to the current health crisis. High risk or backcountry activities that may increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided.

Federal wildland fire agencies are working closely with state and local partners in supporting the U.S. response to the current health crisis. These restrictions are in place to prevent the overtaxing of fire and medical resources of our local county and state partners.

USDA Forest Service officials will review this guidance on an ongoing basis and will consider lifting restrictions based on conversations with states and local governments.