Occupancy and Use Prohibitions
TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST
Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District
Order No. 10-05-52-26-03
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within
the Ward Lake Recreation Area as shown on the attached map:
1. Camping for a period longer than a total of 14 days within a consecutive 60-day period
in developed campgrounds and cabins. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a).
2. Camping in the Revilla Highway pullouts located at miles 2.75 and 2.85, shown on the
attached map as locations A and B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).
3. Camping for a period longer than a total of 21 days in a consecutive 60-day period
anywhere in the Ward Lake Recreation Area, including nights spent in cabins and
campgrounds. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a).
4. Entering or remaining in a campground between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM,
except for persons who are occupying such campgrounds. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(c).
5. Occupying a recreation site (i.e., the Ward Lake Recreation Area) with a chainsaw. 36
C.F.R. § 261.58(d).
6. Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one’s own camp unit. 36
C.F.R. § 261.58(h).
7. Possessing, parking, or leaving more than 2 vehicles, except motorcycles or bicycles, per
camp unit. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(i).
8. Building, maintaining, or attending a fire using wood pallets, treated wood, construction
materials with nails or hardware attached, or any non-wood material. 36 C.F.R. §
261.52(a).
9. Possessing or storing any food or refuse that is not acceptably stored. For the purposes
of this order, when food or refuse are not in active use, they must be acceptably stored.
36 C.F.R. § 261.58(cc).
Order No. 10-05-52-26-03
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 26 C.F.R. § 261.S0(e), the following persons are exempt from the Order:
1. Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission. 36 C.F.R. § 261.SO(e}(l).
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e)(4).
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order is effective from January 13, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
2. These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The term "wood material" means objects made from wood and includes paper, cardboard, and commercially manufactured firelogs. A firelog is a manufactured log constructed to be used as wood fuel.
6. A "camp unit" is a discrete area within a campground that is designed and constructed for overnight camping and typically includes a camping or tent site, a parking spur, and one or more constructed features, such as a picnic table or a campfire area.
7. The term "acceptably stored" means that the food or refuse is secured in a hard-sided vehicle or trailer, food-storage locker, or a commercially manufactured bearproof or bear-resistant container such as a bear canister or an Ursack bear-resistant food storage bag.
Executed in Juneau, Alaska this 9 day of February, 2026.
Monique Nelson
Forest Supervisor Tongass National Forest
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the Ward Lake Recreation Area as shown on the attached map.
Camp Observer
