Payson Ranger District Special Restrictions for Occupancy and Use
Prohibitions
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the Payson Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest, Arizona, in the areas described below and as depicted on the attached maps (attached Exhibits A1- A6):
- Camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).
- Possession or use of a vehicle off National Forest System roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.56.
Exemptions
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with a US Forest Service permit specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of any organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Areas Described
Bear Flat - Exhibit A1
The area 200 feet on each side of Tonto Creek beginning at the southern boundary of the Bear Flat private property line and extending approximately .3 miles downstream to the point where Tonto Creek crosses the Hells Gate Wilderness Boundary.
See Canyon Area – Exhibit A2
The area 200 feet on each side of Christopher Creek, starting at the northern boundary of the Mountain Meadow Subdivision property line and continuing approximately .20 miles north, and ending at approximately 400 feet north of the See Canyon Trailhead (Trail #184).
Flowing springs – Exhibit A3
The area 200 feet on each side of East Verde River, starting on the east side of Highway 87 and following the river upstream approximately 2.4 miles to the southern boundary of the Flowing Springs Estates property.
Verde Glen Dude Creek Area – Exhibit A4
The area 200 feet on each side of the Dry Dude Creek beginning at the East Verde River and continuing in an easterly direction for approximately 1.4 miles, ending at NFSR 1572 and the area 200 feet on each side of the dry creek bed, beginning approximately 250 feet northeast of the intersection of NSFR 1190 and NSFR 64 (Control Road) and continuing in a southeasterly direction up the creek bed to its termination, a distance of approximately 1.3 miles.
Washington Park – Exhibit A5
The area 200 feet on each side of the East Verde River beginning at the northern boundary of Rim Trail Mountain Club private property and continuing approximately 1 mile and ending at the intersection of the East Verde River and the Highline Trail (Forest Trail 31).
Webber Creek – Exhibit A6
The area 200 feet on each side of Webber Creek, beginning at the northeastern boundary of Geronimo Estate private property line, and continuing northwest approximately 2.8 miles to the Camp Geronimo private property line.
Purpose
The purpose of the Order is to protect sensitive riparian areas and other Forest resources and values while organizing and managing recreational OHV use.
Implementations
- This Order becomes effective at 12:00 pm (noon) on April 22, 2019, and shall remain in effect until April 21, 2024, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
- Violations of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581 (b)(7)).
- Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Payson Ranger District located in Payson, AZ, telephone number 928-474-7900, and at the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, AZ, telephone number 602-225-5200.
- This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.
Dated this 22nd day of April 2019, at Phoenix, Arizona.
/s/ Neil Bosworth
Neil Bosworth
Forest Supervisor
Alerts & Warnings
- EVACUATIONS: 136th Street to 144th Street to Dove Valley Rd to Tonto Boundary
- NEVER Bring or Use Fireworks on Federal Lands. It is Illegal.
- 03-12-01-24-29 Riverside Fire Closure Order
- 03-12-03-24-26 Adams Fire Emergency Closure Revision
- 03-12-06-24-27 Tonto Creek Crossing Road Closures
- 03-12-00-24-24 Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Entire Forest
- 03-12-01-22-26 Rattlesnake Cove Recreation Fishing Dock Closure
- 03-12-01-24-28 Wildcat Safety Recovery Closure Order
- Amended - Apache Lake Closure - Lower Burnt Corral Campground remains closed
- Bald Eagle Seasonal Closures
- Occupancy and Use Restrictions
- Update on State Route 88 (Apache Trail) - August 18, 2021
- Redmond Fire Road Closure