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Road 506 / Trail 15 Closure
This order temporarily closes the Route of the Hiawatha Trail at nights during the summer and from September 21 to October 31 to allow for maintenance work. The closure specifically applies to National Forest System Road 506 between Moss Creek Trailhead (milepost 1.9) and the east portal of Tunnel 21 (milepost 2.6), and Hiawatha Rail Trail 15 between Moss Creek Trailhead (milepost 10.5) and Pearson Trailhead (milepost 14.6).
Alert Start Date: June 1, 2025
Alert End Date: October 31, 2025
Order Number: 01-04-04-25-002
Associated Documents
Forest Order
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) road, trail in the St. Joe Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road / Trail”):
1. Being on the Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
2. Being on the Trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS
National Forest System Road 506 beginning at Moss Creek Trailhead (milepost 1.9) and ending at the east portal of Tunnel 21 (milepost 2.6) Hiawatha Rail Trail 15 beginning at Moss Creek Trailhead (milepost 10.5) and ending at Pearson Trailhead (milepost 14.6).
PURPOSE
This closure is for public and contractor safety due to tunnel maintenance activity on the St. Joe Ranger District and prohibits all methods of travel (foot, mechanized, motorized, and stock) described in the Road and trail Closure Description and Attachment A.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from: June 1st 6:30 p.m. to September 21st, 6:30 p.m. 2025. The Order is in effect from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. when night-time tunnel improvement work is conducted. The Order is not in effect when the trail is open for public use from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. September 21st 6:30 p.m. to October 31st 12:01 a.m. 2025. The Order is in effect 24 hours a day.
2. A map identifying the Described Road 506 / Trail 15 is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices.
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, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
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 St. Joe Ranger District in St. Maries Idaho, (208) 245-2531, and Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Coeur d’Alene Idaho, (208) 765- 7223, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road 506 / Trail 15.
Signed and issued on May 19, 2025.