Verde Wild and Scenic River Special Restrictions

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto National Forests
Verde Wild and Scenic River Fire, Occupancy and Use, and Waste Prohibitions

PROHIBITIONS 

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

1. Building, maintaining, attending and or using a fire or campfire, except those contained in a camp stove or approved fire pan. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a). 
   Requirements: Fire pans must be made of a durable metal, be at least 16 inches in diameter with at least a 3-inch lip around its outer edge, and sufficient to contain fire and remains. All fires and ash must be completely contained within the fire pan and removed from the Described Area.
2. Entering or being on lands or waters within the boundaries of the Verde Wild and Scenic River via waterborne craft for the purpose of overnight use without possessing an approved portable toilet and sewage containment system. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(z). 
   Requirements: Portable toilet must be a washable, reusable toilet system that allows for the carry-out and disposal of solid human body waste, allowing for the sanitary transfer of waste materials to septic vaults or sewage treatment facilities. The system must be adequate for the size of the group, length of the trip, and must be accessible during the daytime. Use of a plastic or paper bag as a receptacle for disposal of solid human body waste is prohibited unless it is part of a specifically engineered bag waste containment system containing enzymes and polymers to treat solid human waste.
3. Entering or being on lands or waters within the boundaries of the Ladders bald eagle nesting area from December 1 to June 30. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(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.
3. Persons recreating solely within the boundaries of the Childs Dispersed Camping Area or Beasley Flat Picnic Site.
4. Persons floating in waterborne craft upon the waters of the Verde River within the Ladders bald eagle nesting area, without landing, beaching, or otherwise delaying their deliberate passage, except for emergencies or for scouting rapids. 

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 the Verde River from the intersection of the western boundary of Township 13N, Range 5E Section 26, Gila-Salt River Meridian (34°29'02.59"N; 111°48'10.46"W), downstream to the confluence with Red Creek (34° 05'07.76"N; 111°42'37.70"W) within Township 9N, Range 6E, Section 26, Gila-Salt River Meridian. Within the Described Area, entering or being on lands or waters is prohibited from December 1 to June 30 within one-quarter (0.25) mile on either side of the Verde River from Verde Falls (34°27'32.60"N; 111°47'13.41"W) in Township 12- 1/2N, Range 5E, Section 36, downstream to the confluence with Sycamore Canyon (34°26'28.30"N; 111°47'26.32"W) in Township 12N, Range 5E, Section 12. PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and meet management standards established in the Verde Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan as required by the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from December 1, 2023, at 8:00am through December 1, 2028, at 8:00am, 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, Order Number: # 03-04-06-23-25 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, the Prescott National Forest Supervisor’s Office at (928) 777-2200, 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 November 30, 2023

AARON MAYVILLE

Forest Supervisor

Coconino National Forest

NEIL BOSWORTH

Forest Supervisor

Tonto National Forest

DALE DEITER

Forest Supervisor

Prescott National Forest

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