Order Number 03-03-02-24-12
Albuquerque, NM, October 2, 2024 – A Temporary Area Closure Order (03-03-02-24-12) has been reissued within the Mt. Taylor Ranger District, Cibola National Forest, McKinley County, New Mexico. The previously announced launch dates of Sept 25 and 28 were postponed by White Sands Missile Range. A launch is tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, Oct 5 with a backup date of Sunday Oct 13 requiring an area closure order within the Mt Taylor Ranger District.
This Order shall be in effect from October 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM, through October 5, 2024, at 4 PM, and if necessary, October 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM, Through October 13, 2024 at 4 PM. unless rescinded.
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety during the U.S. Army's planned missile launch, including pre-launch periods, near the Fort Wingate Army Depot.
The Described Area is within Township 14N., Range 16W., Sections 1-24 and 27-35; Township 13N., Range 16W., Sections 2-6; Township 14N., Range 16W., Sections 7, 8, and 18; specifically, all NFS lands within the boundary starting at the Forest Service gate on NFS Road 547 in Six Mile Canyon, then following NFS Road 547 in a southwesterly direction for 4.6 miles to the intersection of the section lines of Sections 23, 24, 25, and 26, then following south along the section line between Sections 25 and 26, until the southwest corner of Section 2, T13N., T16W., then following the section line west to the southwest corner of Section 6, T13N., R16W. (excluding private inholdings), then following the Cibola National Forest boundary north then east, back to the point of beginning, which is the Forest Service gate on NFS Road 547 in Six Mile Canyon, as depicted in Exhibit A Map of this Order.
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.§§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Further information regarding this order contact, Mount Taylor Ranger District at 505-287-8833.
For More Information on the Fort Wingate Launch: https://home.army.mil/wsmr/
White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs
The official order 03-03-02-24-12 posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website under Alerts & Notices.
