Temporary Rock Cliff Closures Through August 15th to Protect Peregrine Falcons

(Photo provided) 

 Editor's Note: Pickens Nose is the only area in Macon county impacted by this closure. Whiteside Mountain in adjoining Jackson County is also impacted. A closure for nesting last occurred in January 2021.

• Maps of Closure Areas
  • Big Lost Cove Cliffs, Buzzard's Roost, Bynum Bluff, Looking Glass Rock (North Face), NC Wall/Apricot Buttress/The Camel, North Cedar Rock (Wall of Northern Aggression), Pickens Nose (East Face), Shortoff Mountain North, Shortoff Mountain South, Victory Wall, Whiterock Cliff, Whiteside Mountain

PRESS RELEASE (02-24-2022)

US FOREST SERVICE

ASHEVILLE, NC (Feb. 24, 2022) ­­­— The U.S. Forest Service is closing several rock faces in western North Carolina to recreational activities, including rock climbing, to protect the rare peregrine falcons that nest there. This closure is effective through August 15, 2022. Peregrine falcons mate for life and return to the same site each year to nest. If the pair is disturbed, they will leave the site and may not nest again until the following year.  Activities that are prohibited to reduce disturbance to nesting and fledgling falcons includes rock climbing, rappelling, ice climbing, bouldering, hang gliding, and slacklining. Drone use on the rock faces themselves and flying drones in the vicinity of the rock faces and within posted areas is also prohibited. Overnight camping within posted areas is not allowed. Through-hiking on designated trails is permitted within the posted boundaries but hikers should not approach the rock faces listed in the table below. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) monitors nesting sites with the help of volunteers. In 2021 across western North Carolina, 15 sites were occupied by peregrine falcon pairs and seven successfully reproduced with a total of 12 offspring. Two additional sites were occupied by a single, unpaired bird.   Avoid activities at the rock cliffs in the following areas when they are posted closed:

United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
National Forests in North Carolina

FOREST ORDER NO. 08-11-37-21-121

Authorities and Duration: Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50, this Forest Order prohibits the following acts on the Appalachian, Grandfather, Pisgah, and Nantahala Ranger Districts to protect nesting Peregrine Falcons and their fledglings. This Forest Order is effective from the date signed by the Forest Supervisor through January 15, 2024, or until amended or terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

Prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited.

1. Cliff and Rock Face Areas. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(b). It is prohibited to be on the face of the following cliffs and rocks between January 15 through August 15:


(a) Pickens Nose (East Face), Macon County, Nantahala Ranger District;
(b) Whiteside Mountain, Jackson County, Nantahala Ranger District;
(c) Victory Wall, Transylvania County, Pisgah Ranger District;
(d) Looking Glass Rock (North Face), Transylvania County, Pisgah Ranger District;
(e) North Cedar Rock (Wall of Northern Aggression), Transylvania County, Pisgah Ranger District;
(f) Buzzard's Roost, Haywood County, Appalachian Ranger District;
(g) Whiterock Cliff, Madison County, Appalachian Ranger District;
(h) Shortoff Mountain South, Linville Gorge, Burke County, Grandfather Ranger District;
(i) Shortoff Mountain North, Linville Gorge, Burke County, Grandfather Ranger District;
(j) NC Wall/Apricot Buttress/The Camel, Linville Gorge, Burke County, Grandfather Ranger District;
(k) Bynum Bluff, Linville Gorge, Burke County, Grandfather Ranger District; and
(l) Big Lost Cove Cliffs, Avery County, Grandfather Ranger District

The locations of these cliff and rock faces are depicted on the site maps attached hereto and made a part hereof.

2. Cliff and Rock Face Buffer Zones. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(b). It is prohibited to be within three hundred feet (300 feet) (one hundred yards (100 yards)), of the base or top of the above enumerated cliff and rock face areas between January 15 through August 15.

3. Landing Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems or Drones. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(y). It is prohibited to land a small, unmanned aircraft system or drone within three hundred feet (300 feet) (one hundred yards (100-yards)), of the base, top, or face of the above enumerated cliff and rock face areas between January 15 through August 15.

Exception. This Forest Order does not prohibit through-hiking on designated hiking trails.

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

(a) Persons with a permit issued by a District Ranger or Forest Supervisor which specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act or omission; and
(b) Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. Other Prohibitions. These prohibitions are in addition to:
(a) the General Prohibitions at 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.1–261.23 (Subpart A);
(b) other Orders currently in effect pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.50–261.58 (Subpart B); and
(c) all other Regional Regulations at 36 C.F.R. § 261.70 (Subpart C).

Executed in Asheville, North Carolina on this 23rd day of February 2022.
By:
James Melonas, Forest Supervisor
National Forests in North Carolina

Violation of these prohibitions set forth above is punishable by a fine or not more than $5.000 for an individual and $10.000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than s ix (6) months. or both. See 16 U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571