The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands at Sweetwater Lake and vicinity in the White River National Forest, Garfield County, State of Colorado:
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands at Sweetwater Lake and vicinity in the White River National Forest, Garfield County, State of Colorado, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Restricted Areas”).
The Restricted Areas are located in Sections 8, 9, 16, and 17, Township 3 South, Range 87 West, 6th P.M., and include Sweetwater Lake and surrounding area in the Eagle Ranger District. The five Restricted Areas include:
- Sweetwater Lake
- Sweetwater Lake Area, begins along the southern shore of Sweetwater Lake east to the Forest boundary, continues north through the Sweetwater Campground, ties into the north shore of the lake continuing east to the Forest boundary, north to approximately “9,000-foot contour line” and to the western edge of the Forest boundary
- Fall Hazard Unprotected Cliff Area, bounded by Sweetwater Road 150 to the north
- Resource Protection Area due south of Sweetwater Campground
- Raptor Protection Area, which is bounded by Sweetwater Road 150 to the north, Sweetwater Lake and Cross Creek Trail# 1855 to the south north and west of the lake. Northern boundary is Sweetwater Road 150.
- Sweetwater Cave Protection Area immediately north of the Cross Creek Trail #1855.
The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources, wildlife habitat, and public safety.
PROHIBITIONS
1. Entering or being in the Fall Hazard Unprotected Cliff Area year-round, the Raptor Protection Area from 2/1-8/15, or Resource Protection Area year-round. 36 CFR § 261.53(a) & (e).
2. Entering or being in the Sweetwater Lake Area boundary for the purpose of recreational climbing. 36 CFR § 261.53(a) & (e).
3. Possessing or operating a motorboat with a gas motor or an electric motor of more than 5 h.p. 36 CFR § 261.58 (n)
4. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire outside a FS metal provided fire ring in Sweetwater Campground or designated horse camping area year-round. 36 CFR § 261.52(a)
5. Camping outside the designated campsites in Sweetwater Campground or designated horse camping area year-round. 36 CFR § 261.58(e)
6. Entering the Sweetwater Cave Protection area year-round 36 CFR § 261.53 (a).
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or Local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
2. Members of an Indian Tribe, as defined in 36 CFR § 261.2, who are conducting ceremonies, rituals, or other culturally significant events.
3. Forest Service employees, Forest Service contractors, state wildlife agency personnel or members of NSS under agreement conducting WNS-related activities, wildlife surveys or cave surveys.
- a. Comply with the decontamination guidelines in Exhibit B
- b. Ensuring that equipment and clothing used in states and counties where White Nose Syndrome or White Nose Syndrome fungus has been detected (listed at http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org) are not used in states or counties where WNS or WNS fungus has not been detected.
4. Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
- a. Comply with the decontamination guidelines in Exhibit B
- b. Ensuring that equipment and clothing used in states and counties where White Nose Syndrome or White Nose Syndrome fungus has been detected (listed at http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org) are not used in states or counties where WNS or WNS fungus has not been detected.
This Order is effective May 20, 2022, and will remain in effect until December 31, 2027, or until rescinded.
Done at Glenwood Springs, Colorado this 19th day of May 2022.
Scott G. Fitzwilliams
Forest Supervisor
White River National Forest
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 USC § 551 and 18 USC §§ 3559, 3571, 3581.
Camp Observer
