FoodStorage2011Signed.pdf

USDA United States ~ Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Idaho Montana Acquisition Team

3815 Schreiber Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815

FAX (208) 765-7229

File Code: 6320 Date: October 6, 2011

Subject: Food Storage Requirements for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests

To: Interested Parties

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests recently implemented a Food Storage Requirements for the Priest Lake, Bonners Ferry and portions of the Sandpoint Ranger Districts.

A web page has been set up, at http://wvvw.fs.usda.gov/ipnf which contains food storage information, a map of the area affected, and the Food Storage Order.

The requirements are designed to reduce human/wildlife conflicts. The Forests intent is to focus on education and provide warnings to help implement the new order. However be advised the food order does allow law enforcement to issue citations as needed.

A copy of the Order No F -11-002 and Attachment A, have been provided as an attachment.

Ifyou have any questions, please contact the COR designated on your contract.

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IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FORESTS

Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, and Priest Lake Ranger Districts

Order No. F-II-002

Occupancy and Use Restrictions

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited in the area displayed on the attached map that covers National Forest lands on the Kaniksu National Forest north of the Clark Fork River, Lake Pend Oreille, and the Pend Oreille River. This order applies to all National Forest system lands and facilities located and/or permitted on lands described above.

I. It is prohibited to possess or store any foodl (humanfood or animalfood, including petfood) or refuse EXCEPT as specified in this order from April 1 to December I, annually (36 CFR 261.58(cc)).

2. It is prohibited to possess, store, or transport any bird, fish, or other animal, or parts thereof EXCEPT as specified in the order from Aprill to December I, annmilly (36 CFR 261.58(s)).

I All italicized words in this order are defined in Attachment A.

UNDER THIS ORDER IT IS REQUIRED THAT:

In Areas Mapped as Front Country:

I. Human, pet, and livestock food (except baled or cubed hay without additives), garbage, and all other attractants (cookware/utensils, personal hygiene products) shall be stored within buildings (buildings that are secure from wildlife entry), hard-sided vehicles, or within approved bear-resistant storage containers (coolers are NOT bear-resistant), or other acceptably stored methods at all times (night and day) unless being prepared for eating, being consumed (eaten/drank), being transported, or being prepared for acceptable storage. See Attachment 'A' for definitions.

2. Attractants (e.g. food leftovers, bacon grease, animal entrails) shall not be buried, discarded, or burned in an open campfire in areas defined as Front Country on the attached map. They shall be disposed of in bear-resistant garbage containers, stored in bear-resistant storage containers or other methods of acceptably storing bear attractants as described in Attachement A until such time as they can be packed out. of the closure area or disposed of in bear-resistant garbage containers.

In Areas Mapped as Back Country:

I. Attractants (e.g. food,food leftovers, bacon grease) shall not be buried, discarded, or burned in an open campfire in areas defined as Back Country on the attached map. This material along with all solid waste (non-biodegradable) will be packed out of the area. See Attachment' A' for definitions.

2. Animal and fish entrails may be left in place in areas defined as Back Country on the attached map but must meet the requirements of#4 under In Areas Mapped as either Front or Back Country for distance from camping and sleeping areas and National Forest system trails.

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3. Dispose of human waste and gray water in a pit or hole well away from campsites. Cover with sod or topsoil.

4. Food shall be acceptably stored when not being consumed or prepared for consumption.

In Areas Mapped as either Front or Back Country:

1. Bird feeders (liquid, suet or seed) are not allowed in the area shown on the map.

2. No person shall provide food of any kind to any wildlife species.

3. Camping or sleeping areas shall be established at least Yz mile from a known animal carcass that is on the ground or where an animal has been field dressed, skinned, or gutted, or at least 100 yards from an acceptably stored animal carcass.

4. Any harvested animal carcass shall be acceptably stored when located 100 yards to Yz mile of a camping or sleeping area or within 200 yards of a National Forest system trail (unless the carcass is being, transported, being prepared for eating, or being prepared for acceptable storage).

5. The responsible party shall report the death and location of livestock to a Forest Service official within 24 hours of discovery. In remote areas, where it is not possible to meet the 24 hour timeframe, the report should be made within 48 hours.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission ..

2. Any Federal, State or Local Law Enforcement Officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFRPart 261, Subpart A and become effective immediately and will remain in effect until rescinded or revoked.

Executed in Coeur d Alene, Idaho, this 29th day of September, 2011

. MAGGIE PIITMAN

Acting Forest Supervisor Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C. 551 and 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571)' . .

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Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, and Priest Lake Ranger Districts

Order No. F-ll-002

Attachment A Definitions

Acceptably stored:

Stored in a closed vehicle (hard-sided camper, vehicle trunk, or cab or trailer cab) where the storage compartment is constructed of solid, non-pliable material that, when secured, will have no openings, hinges, lids, or coverings that would allow a bear to gain entry without breaking, bending, tearing, biting, or pulling with its claws (any windows in the vehicle must be closed); or

Stored within a hard-sided residence, building, or storage container subject to the terms and conditions of a special-use authorization or operating plan; or

Food and animal carcasses shall be suspended at least 10 feet clear of the ground at all points and 4 feet horizontally from any supporting tree or pole (required to be 100 yards from camping or sleeping area); or

Stored in commercial bear-resistant container or electric fence certified through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Certified Bear-Resistant Equipment and Electric Fences for Public Lands (http://www.igbconline.org/html/container.html); or

Stored by other methods approved in writing issued by the Forest Supervisor responsible for the area where the method is proposed for use. Containers or fences developed for personal use may be inspected for approval by the local District Ranger or their designated representatives(s). See "Bear-Resistant Containers Minimum design and structural standards inspection and testing methodology 1989" and "Electric Fence System: Requirements for Meeting the NCDE Food Storage Special Order, 1999," or most recent Forest Service publication, for description of personal use containers or fences.

Animal carcasses are not considered acceptably stored when within 100 yards of a camping or sleeping area or within 200 yards of a National Forest System Trail.

Animal carcasses more than Y2 mile from a camping area and more than 200 yards from a National Forest System Trail may be left on the ground.

Animal carcass: The dead body or parts thereof, of any harvested mammal, bird, or fish, including the head or skull plate with antlers or horns and hide or cape of big game animals or any dead livestock that may be found in the area encompassed by this order. Packaged or prepared animal carcass products transported into the restricted area for consumption, game birds, small mammals, or fish harvested for consumption in the restricted area are consideredfood.

Attractant: Food (as defined below), animal carcasses (as defined above), garbage, recycling, coolers (even when empty), cookware/utensils, grills, bait (such as used in legal fishing and trapping) and other human, livestock, or pet items that emit an odor such as personal hygiene products (e.g. soap, toothpaste, lotion, bug spray). Bird feeders (liquid, suet or seed) are defined as an attractant. This definition does NOT include water, baled hay, or hay cubes without additives.

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Bear-resistant storage or garbage cont,ainer: A securable container constructed of a solid material capable of withstanding 200 foot-pounds of energy applied by direct impact. The container, when secured and under stress, will not have any openings greater than 14 inch that would allow a bear to gain entry by biting or pulling with its claws. bear-resistant container developed commercially must be approved by the USDA, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC). For commercial operations, the .

MTDC has an impact testing machine available to evaluate containers for strength.

Camping/sleeping area: National Forest System Lands temporarily used. for the purpose ofovernight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure or lands temporarily occupied by unattended camping equipment.

Food: Any substance, which includes human food or drink (canned, solid, or liquid even in sealed containers), livestock feed (except baled hay or cubed hay without additives) and pet food.

Front Country: This area includes the following developed recreation sites: Stagger Inn (priest Lake Ranger District); Copper Creek CO; Robinson Lake CO and Boat Dock; Sinclair Lake Fishing Dock; Brush Lake CG and Boat Dock; Snyder Guard Station; Meadow Creek CO; Smith Lake CG and Boat Dock; Perkins Lake; and Stampede Lake (aB on the Bonners Ferry Ranger District); and all acreage that makes up the Sam Owen area on the- Sandpoint Ranger District

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