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Construction near Appalachian Trail on Peter's Mountain
Hikers may hear sound or see lights in the vicinity of Symms Gap meadow on the crest of Peters Mountain (southbound mile 1544, northbound mile 649.1) Please stay on the Trail.
Alert Start Date: October 24th, 2024
Alert End Date: N/A
Order Number: 08-08-11-23-161
Associated Documents
Forest Order
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
ORDER NO. 08-08-11-23-161
Peters Mountain Right-of-Way Closure Order
for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project
FOREST ORDER
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(b), the following acts are prohibited to protect public safety due to the hazards associated with activities for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project on the Eastern Divide Ranger District, Jefferson National Forest, Virginia.
- Prohibitions:
- Peters Mountain Construction ROW. It is prohibited to be within 100 feet from the outer edge of the Peters Mountain Construction Right-of-Way (ROW) on National Forest System land on or near Peters Mountain as shown on the map attached hereto and made a part hereof as Attachment 1, dated June 28, 2023. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
- Exclusions:
- Mystery Ridge Road Segment. Persons lawfully traveling on Mystery Ridge Road, also known as Forest Service Road (FSR) 11080, are excluded from this Closure Order.
- The tread width of the Appalachian Trail is excluded from this ClosureOrder. For purposes of this closure order, the tread width is defined as twenty-four (24) inches on each side of the centerline of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail [Appalachian Trail] as shown on the maps attached hereto and made a part hereof as Attachments 1, dated June 28, 2023. This exclusion is for the purpose of allowing continuous travel in a single direction on the Appalachian Trail tread. As such, notwithstanding this exclusion, it is prohibited to stop or loiter within the AT tread anywhere the tread is situated within the area that is closed herein. 36 C.F.R. § 261.12(d).
- Duration: The prohibitions of this Order shall remain in effect until rescinded by the Authorized Officer.
- Exemptions: Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the prohibitions contained in this order:
- Persons working under a permit, contract, or agreement issued by a Federal, State, or Local regulatory entity which specifically authorizes activity within the area covered by this Closure Order. 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e)(l), and (6).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force engaged in the performance of an official duty. 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e)(4).
- General Prohibitions: The General Prohibitions set forth in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A (§§ 261.1 – 261.23), remain in effect. The prohibitions set forth herein pursuant to 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B (§§ 261.50 – 261.58) are in addition to the General Prohibitions.
Executed in Roanoke, Virginia this 1 day of July, 2023.
JOBY TIMM
Digitally signed by JOBY TIMM Date: 2023.07.01 09:35:59
Joby Timm Forest Supervisor
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571 and 3581.