NEWS RELEASE

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands

2113 Osuna Road NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

(505) 346-3900

www.fs.usda.gov/cibola

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Area Closure for Thinning Work
at the Cedro 4 Project Area

Sandia Ranger District

Order Number 03-03-05-24-02

Albuquerque, NM, January 12, 2024 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF&NGs) has issued an area closure order (Order 03-03-05-24-02) for the Cedro 4 Project Area on the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola NF&NGs, described below and shown on the attached map.

This Order shall be in effect from January 12, 2024, at 0600 through May 1, 2024 at 0600, unless rescinded.

Purpose of this order is for the protection of public health and safety during mechanized thinning work in the Cedro 4 project area south of Forest Road 462.

This Closure Order includes the area south of Forest Road 462. Roads included within this closure order are as follows:

•    Forest Road 12 from its intersection with Forest Road 462 (northern end of the closure) to its intersection with Lone Pine Trail (southern end of the closure);

•    Forest Road 13 from its intersection with Forest Road 462 (northern end of the closure) to just east of the intersection of Forest Road 13 and Cedro Peak Trail near Forest Road 252 (southern end of the closure).

Trails included within this Closure Order are as follows:

•  Delbert’s Trail from its intersection with Chamisoso Trail (southern end of the closure) to its intersection with Forest Road 13 (northern end of the closure).

•  Mighty Mule Trail from its intersection with Forest Road 13 (northern end of the closure) to its intersection with Rattlesnake Trail (southern end of the closure).

•  Rattlesnake Trail from its intersection with Forest Road 12 (southern end of the closure) to its intersection with the Meadow Ridge Trail (northern end of the closure).

•  Meadow Ridge Trail from its intersection with Forest Road 13 (northern end of the closure) to its intersection with the Cedro Single Track Trail (southern end of the closure).

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.50(a) and (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Sandia Ranger District, Cibola National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this order:

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area which is closed for public health and safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
2. Being on a road or trail within the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e); 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.       Person with a Forest Service permit, contract or agreement specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

2. 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)].
3. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

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.

The official order 03-03-05-24-02 posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website under Alerts & Notices.

For more information on this order contact:

Sandia Ranger District Office – Tijeras, NM (505) 281-3304

Cibola NF&NGs Forest Supervisor’s Office - Albuquerque, NM, (575) 346-3900