In an unprecedented move, the United States Forestry Service announced on April 13th that the Pisgah National Forest is closed until August 13, 2020 or until the order is rescinded (whichever comes first). This order was signed by the current forest supervisor, Hurston A. Nicholas, and carries punishment of fines up to $5,000 per person, $10,000 for organizations and/or up to 6 months of imprisonment. While the order went on to specifically list a bunch of roads, trails, and campgrounds or recreation sites that were closed, the basic text reads:
- Being on National Forest System roads
- Being on a National Forest System trail
- Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof
- Camping
That pretty much sums it up and leaves all ambiguity out of the equation. There are the obvious exceptions for people accessing their residences, farming, and other expected exemptions but for the general public, to the average citizen, the Pisgah National Forest is closed.
You can read the official order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd724787.pdf
These are the strange and difficult times we live in due to COVID-19.
What are your thoughts about these restrictions?
My thoughts on the restrictions to trails are that they are totally unnecessary and intended to make us feel like we lack control of our lives. They are arbitrary. Social distancing is not difficult on these trails, and transmission is not likely outdoors.
Is the Pisgah National Forest open?