The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has a food storage order in effect across the entire Forest. This order requires visitors to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to store food items in a “bear resistant manner” and to properly dispose of wildlife attractants. The food storage order is intended to reduce human/wildlife conflicts resulting from readily available food sources and other attractants.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST ORDER# 06-05-25-01
Forest Area Closure
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a), to minimize adverse interactions between humans, bears, and other wildlife and provide for visitor safety, the following acts are prohibited within the
boundaries of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A. Also attached, and hereby made part of this Order, Exhibit B - Definitions of terms used in support of the
restrictions. This order will be effective from April 15, 2025, to April 15, 2027, unless rescinded sooner.
PROHIBITION:
- Possessing or storing any food or refuse, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.SS(cc)
- Possessing, storing, or transporting any bird, fish, or other animal or parts thereof, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.58(s)
This order requires that:
- All food and refuse must be acceptably stored or acceptably possessed during daytime hours.
- All food and refuse must be acceptably stored during nighttime hours, unless it is being prepared for eating, being eaten, being transported, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
- Any harvested animal carcass must be acceptably stored, unless the carcass is being field dressed, transported, being prepared for eating, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
- Burnable attractants that cannot be completely consumed by fire (i.e., no post burning residue) must be packed out.
PROHIBITION AREA DESCRIPTION:
All National Forest System lands within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.SO(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Persons with a Valid Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order (Form FS-7700-48), specifically exempting them from this order.
- Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization or other authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
- Any Federal or State officer placing baits to capture animals for research or management
purposes as part of their official duties.
This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).
Executed in Everett, Washington, this 3rd day of March, 2025.