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Jemez Ranger District Road Closures

SANTA FE, NM – January 2, 2018 – For Immediate Release. Santa Fe National Forest officials are prepared to implement the annual closure of certain USDA Forest Service (USFS) maintained roads located in the Jemez Ranger District.

Effective January 2, 2018 gates will be locked to prevent unauthorized motor vehicle access on Forest Service maintained roads: 10, 144, 268, 289, and 376 North / South. For detailed descriptions of closed motorized access locations on the Jemez District of the Santa Fe National Forest, please visit: http://bit.ly/2CwS1Wq.

“We still encourage National Forest visitors to access areas affected by the annual road-closure, but only by non-motorized means,” said Brian Riley, Jemez District Ranger. “Outdoor recreational opportunities on the Jemez Ranger District are plentiful, however before your trip, please take the necessary measures to prepare for your National Forest visit. Anticipate weather conditions and understand it is unseasonably dry, which elevates wildfire danger throughout the Santa Fe National Forest.”

The purpose of the annual seasonal motor vehicle road closure is for the preservation of vital USFS managed infrastructure, and the protection of watersheds that benefit communities and wildlife in the areas. Also, during periods of heavy snowfall and extreme soil moisture it becomes necessary to close motorized vehicle access to the roads for public safety reasons.

Jemez Ranger District staff will work with landowners affected by seasonal road closures to ensure each has access to their own property.

“We will continually monitor conditions to determine when to re-open motorized access”, Riley said. “Historically, motorized vehicle access to these roads is restored around mid-April.”

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/santafe for more information about road closures affecting motorized vehicles and road closure updates, as well as outdoor recreational opportunities on the Jemez Ranger District, or call (575) 829.3535.