Catspur Creek Garnet Site Road and Area Closure

Associated Documents

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), (b) the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the St. Joe Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A and B the “Described Area/Roads”:
 

1.Going into or being upon the Described Area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety; property; and objects or areas of historical, archeological, geological, or paleontological interest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(c), (e), (f).
2. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
 

EXEMPTIONS
 

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

1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(4)
2. Persons with Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order, including contractors, utility companies and private in- holders with access rights. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1)
 

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS
 

Idaho Panhandle National Forest System Lands administered by the St Joe Ranger District, east of the town of Clarkia, in T42N R2E, in the SW4/SW4 of Section 19, Boise Meridien, in the Upper St Maries River watershed, including:

1. the entirety of road FSR-361A, approximately 1.2 miles in total length.
2. all the land in the powerline easement under the power line from where it intersects FSR-361A to where it intersects Catspur Creek/FSR 361 (see Exhibits A and B, maps of closed area).
 

PURPOSE
 

The purpose of this Order is to close the Catspur garnet unauthorized dig area and access road FSR-361A, a 1.2-mile-long road, to protect public health and safety, as well as resource/property protection, including a rare area of geologic interest. This area is closed to mineral entry and no prospecting or mineral collecting is allowed, yet damage to the area has been extensive from such unauthorized activities. The illegal digging in the stream channel has disrupted the natural grade and position of the stream and caused head-cutting and increased erosion and sedimentation that is impacting Catspur Creek downstream, a fish bearing stream. In addition, hazards caused by the unauthorized activity include large holes and pits in the stream channel and flood plain, as well as the killing of trees along the road and stream due to root balls being dug out/undermined, creating a dangerous situation where unstable trees could fall without notice. In addition, some diggers have started to undermine the road itself with their digging activities, damaging the road shoulder and creating areas of instability.
 

IMPLEMENTATION
 

1. This Order shall be in effect from June 20, 2025, at 12:00 am, through June 20, 2026, at 12:00 am, unless rescinded earlier.
2. Maps identifying the Described Area/Roads are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibits A and B. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibits A and B, go to Idaho Panhandle National Forests - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov) –https:// www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices
3. A Forest Service gate will be installed at the intersection of FSR 361 and FSR 361A, on the east side of the bridge that crosses Catspur Creek. Entry behind the gate without authorization is considered a violation of this order.
4. 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.
5. 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.

6. Contact the St Joe Ranger District at Federal Building, 222 S 7th St, St Maries, ID 83861 or the National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 3232 Nursery Rd, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83815, (208) 765-7223, for more information about this Order.
7. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on June 13, 2025.

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