To protect health and safety of humans and bears, from April 1 to November 30, you must secure all food, food containers, scented items (soap, lip balm, toothpaste), and refuse in a closed and locked vehicle, solid camper, rental cabin, or in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certified bear-resistant container or disposed of in a provided bear-resistant trash receptacle. This does not apply when you are preparing, consuming, or visually supervising your food, food containers, scented items, or refuse.
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R, § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the area described in this Order (the "Restricted Area") and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Blackduck, Walker, Deer River Ranger Districts, Chippewa National Forest, Cass, Itasca, Beltrami Counties, Minnesota.
- In effect April 1 - November 30 each year, except while being prepared, consumed, or under on-site visual observance, all food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, toothpaste) and refuse shall be stored in a closed, LOCKED vehicle or camper constructed of solid, nonpliable material; in a rental cabin; in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certified bear-resistant container; or disposed of in a provided bear-resistant trash receptacle. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58 (cc).
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
RESTRICTED AREA
The Restricted Area is within the following:
as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the number of human and bear interactions in the developed fee campgrounds. This is necessary for the health and safety of the public and the protection of the bears.
IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order will be effective on April 1, 2025, at 12:01 am, and shall remain in effect until November 30, 2029, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
- A list identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. A map displaying those areas as Exhibit B.
- Any violation of this prohibition 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 (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. §3581(b)(7).\
- Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at any District office, and at the Chippewa National Forest Supervisor's Office in Cass Lake, MN, Telephone number 218-335-8600.
- This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.
Done in Cass Lake, Minnesota, this 26 day of February 2025.
MICHAEL STANSBERRY
Forest Supervisor
Chippewa National Forest
Camp Observer
