Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River (Non-Permit Season)(October 2 - March 31)

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Coconino and Tonto National Forests
Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River 
Camping, Fire and Glass Container Prohibition

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Coconino and Tonto National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”): 

1. Camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
2. Building, maintaining, attending and or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)
3. Possession or use of glass containers. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(cc)
4. Possessing or using any type of motorized 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: 

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.
3. Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum fuels. 

DESCRIBED AREA

As depicted on the map in Exhibit A, the Described Area includes all NFS lands within one-quarter (0.25) mile on either side of Fossil Creek from the confluence of Sandrock Canyon and Calf Pen Canyon (34°26’48.64” N; 111°32’ 25.01” W), downstream to the confluence with the Ike Saddle Drainage (34°21’19.31” N; 111°39’52.48” W). Within the Described Area, camping is prohibited within one-quarter (0.25) mile of Fossil Creek from Fossil Creek Dam (34° 25' 16.70" N; 111° 34' 35.76" W), downstream to Fossil Creek Bridge (34° 23' 39.56" N; 111° 37' 48.12" W). Within the Described Area, camping is prohibited within 100 feet of Fossil Creek from Fossil Creek Bridge (34° 23' 39.56" N; 111° 37' 48.12" W), downstream to the confluence with the Ike Saddle Drainage (34°21’19.31” N; 111°39’52.48” W).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is to better protect nearby communities from the threat of catastrophic wildfires, lessen impacts on unique riparian plant and wildlife resources, preserve traditional and contemporary cultural values, and enhance the overall recreational experience as required by the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect recurrently from 2023 through 2033 from October 02, at 0800 through March 31, at 0800, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order, Exhibit A, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coconino/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 Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Flagstaff, AZ at (928) 527-3600, or the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, AZ at (602) 225-5200 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area. 

Signed and issued on September 30, 2023

AARON MAYVILLE 

Forest Supervisor 

Coconino National Forest

NEIL BOSWORTH

Forest Supervisor

Tonto National Forest

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