Thursday, August 07, 2008

Rules & Regulations

As a visitor to the National Forests, we ask you to follow certain rules designed to ensure your health and safety, to protect the Forests and the natural environment, and to promote pleasant and rewarding outdoor recreation experiences for everyone. Forest Officers are empowered to enforce Federal Regulations and the rules listed below are taken from those regulations. Please take time to read and understand them.
Please remember to be careful! You are primarily responsible for your own safety. Look out for natural hazards and dangers when you are in the forest. If you hike off trails or swim or dive in streams or lakes, you do so at YOUR OWN RISK.

Camping

Campgrounds and other recreation sites can be used only for recreation purposes. Permanent use or use as a principal residence is not allowed.
In campgrounds, camp only in those places specifically marked or provided.
A maximum of two (2) vehicles per campsite is allowed.
At least one person must occupy a camping area during the first night after camping equipment has been set up, unless permission has otherwise has been granted by the Forest Ranger.
Do not leave camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours without permission from Forest Ranger. The Federal Government is not responsible any loss or damage to personal property.
Remove all personal property and trash when leaving.

Fee Areas

You must pay a fee to use certain developed sites and facilities. Such areas are clearly signed or posted as requiring a fee.
Where fees are required, you must pay them before using the site, facility, equipment, or service furnished.

Sanitation

Throw all garbage and litter in containers provided for this purpose, or take it with you.
Garbage containers, when provided, are reserved for the use of visitors to the National Forest, not visitors to or owners of private lands or lands under permit.
Wash food and personal items away from drinking water supplies. Use faucets only for drawing water.
Prevent pollution - keep garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other water.
Use toilets properly. Do not throw garbage, litter, fish cleanings, or other foreign substances in toilets and plumbing fixtures.

Property

Do not carve, chop, cut, or damage any live trees.
Preserve and protect your National Forests. Leave natural areas the way you find them.
Enter buildings, structures, or enclosed areas in Natural Forest only when they are expressly opened to the public.
Indian sites, old cabins, and other structures, along with objects and artifacts associated with them, have historic or archeological value. Do not damage or remove any such historic or archeological resource or other property of the United States.

Campfires

Obey restrictions on fires. Fires may be limited or prohibited at certain times.
Within campgrounds and other recreation sites, build fires only in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose.
Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING FIRES UNDER CONTROL.

Public Behavior

No fighting, cursing or boisterous behavior.
Keep noise at a reasonable level at all times and after 10:00 P.M. no noise at all. Please be considerate of fellow visitors. Threatening, intimidating, or interfering with any forest employee is a federal offense.
Operate any audio device, such as a radio or musical instrument, so that it does not disturb other visitors.

Pets and Animals

Pets must be always restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation sites.
Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas.
Saddle or pack animals are allowed in recreation sites only where authorized by posted instructions. Hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse that causes damage to live trees, soil, or water is prohibited.

Operation of Vehicles

Obey all traffic signs. State traffic laws apply to National Forest unless otherwise specified. License tags, insurance and DUI violations are strictly enforced.
When operating vehicles of any kind, do not damage the land or vegetation or disturb the wildlife. Avoid riding or driving on unpaved roads or trails when they are wet or muddy.
Within campgrounds and other recreation sites, use cars, motorbikes, motorcycles, or other motor vehicles only for entering or leaving, unless areas or trails are specifically marked for them. A maximum of two (2) vehicles per campsite is allowed.
Do not block, restrict, or interfere with the use of roads or trails, especially gated roads.
Obey area and trail restrictions on use of trail bikes and other off-the-road vehicles. ORVs or ATVs (OHVs) must stay on designated trails.

All visitors and users of the National Forests are subject to Federal Regulations. The points of conduct listed here are generally included in and enforceable through Federal Regulations. All of the regulations are published in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations and are on file at all Forest Supervisor and District Ranger offices. Violation of orders and regulations is subject to punishment by a fine or imprisonment.