Temporary Emergency Closure of Public Lands in Washington County, Utah

July 20, 2020

Summary: Notice is hereby given that a temporary emergency closure is in effect on public lands administered by the St. George Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. The temporary emergency closure is in effect for the Red Cliffs Recreation Area (including the campground, day use areas, non-motorized trail system and White Reef Trailhead), the Cottonwood Trailhead, the Prospector Trail north from the Cottonwood Trailhead, the Red Reef and Cottonwood Canyon Trails west from the Cottonwood Trailhead. This closure is for public safety and resource protection in relation to the Cottonwood Trail Fire and damage to recreational facilities caused by the fire.

Dates:

This temporary emergency closure will be in effect immediately and remain in effect until recreation facilities and infrastructure can be repaired and it is rescinded.

For Further Information Contact:

Keith Rigtrup, Field Manager, St. George Field Office, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790, (435) 688-3201.

Dawna Ferris-Rowley, NCA Manager, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790, (435) 688-3216.

Supplementary Information:

The temporary emergency closure is in effect for the Red Cliffs Recreation Area (including the campground, day use areas, non-motorized trail system, and White Reef Trailhead), the Cottonwood Trailhead, the Prospector Trail north of the Cottonwood Trailhead, the Red Reef and Cottonwood Canyon Trails west from the Cottonwood Trailhead. The BLM will post closure signs at the main entry points to the recreation area and trailheads. Maps of the affected area and other documents associated with this closure are available at the St. George Field Office, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790. Under the authority of Section 303 (a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733 (a)), 43 CFR 8360.0-7, and 43 CFR 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the following rules.

Prohibitions:

You must not enter the Red Cliffs Recreation Area, White Reef Trailhead, and Cottonwood Trailhead, and associated trails identified in this notice.

Exemptions:

The following persons are exempt from this order: Federal, state, and local officers and employees in the performance of their official duties; members of organized rescue or fire-fighting forces in the performance of their official duties; and persons with written authorization from the BLM.

Penalties:

Any person who violates the above rule(s) and/or restriction(s) may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more that $1,000, imprisoned for no more that 12 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

Field Office Manager Keith Rigtrup Date: July 20, 2020

Read the signed notice or look at the map on BLM.gov.