Weed Free Forage Products

Order Number: R02-2024-03

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 
Rocky Mountain Region, Region 2 

Weed Free Forage Products Order

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited on all National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails within the Rocky Mountain Region, Region 2 (“Described Area, Roads, and Trails”): 

1. Possessing, storing, or transporting any hay, hay cubes, straw, grain, or other forage or mulch product, without:
   1. Original and current documentation meeting the North American Weed Free Forage (NAWFF) standards, or comparable certification standard issued through a State certification process; and 

   2. Tags, twine, or other certification marking on all individual bales, containers, or sacks, as required or provided for by the product's State of origin. 

      36 C.F.R. § 261.58(t).

EXEMPTIONS 

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 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 force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS 

The Described Area includes the following National Forests (“NF”) and National Grasslands (“NG”), and all NFS roads and trails within the Described Area:

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from January 1, 2025, at 12:01 am through December 31, 2028 at 11:59 pm, unless rescinded.
2. For a digital version of this Order, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/alerts/.
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 Regional Office in Lakewood, CO, (303) 275-5350, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts in or on the same Described Area, Roads, and Trails covered by this Order. 

Signed and issued in Lakewood, Colorado this 19 day of December 2024.

Digitally signed December 19, 2024 by:

/s/ TROY HEITHECKER 
Regional Forester 
Rocky Mountain Region