(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
PRESS RELEASE (02-24-2022)
US FOREST SERVICE
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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
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