Carson National Forest
Forest Service News Release
Contact: Hilary Markin
(715) 482-0115
hilary.r.markin@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov/carson
Temporary Health and Safety Closure Order to Restore Rio
Grande Cutthroat Trout on Questa Ranger District
Taos, NM – September 20, 2021 – The Carson National Forest is assisting the New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) with a closure order for the use of pesticide (rotenone) and
rotenone neutralizer (potassium permanganate) to restore Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout and native fish
communities on the upper Rio Costilla Watershed on the Carson National Forest Valle Vidal
Management Unit. This closure order will be in effect from Sept. 25 through Oct. 8 on the Questa
Ranger District. The NMDGF will have an information booth on Forest Road (FR) 1950 (main Valle Vidal
Road) with personnel to interact with the public during this time.
Closure Order Details:
• The Closure Order closes public access to FR 1900 from 09/25 (12 AM) thru 10/08 (11:59
PM). Costilla Dam operators are exempted and can use FR 1950 to access Costilla Dam.
• The public can still drive on FR 1950 through the closure area but the public may not exit
their vehicles inside the closure area. This restriction applies to FR 1950 from the west
boundary of the Valle Vidal to the junction of FR 1950 and Little Costilla Creek.
• Hunters and Outfitters holding ELK-3-406 licenses can coordinate with NM Dept of Game
and Fish to access areas not actively being treated with piscicides and act in compliance with
the treatment advisory notices within the Closure Area.
• Holders of grazing permits and their employees may coordination with Mexico Department
of Game and Fish personnel to access portions of the Closure area relative to livestock
management needs in areas not being actively treated with piscicides and acting in
compliance with advisory notices within the Restricted Area.
• Federal, State, or Local Officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource(s)
are also exempted from the Closure Order restrictions.
• This order can be enforced by any commissioned law enforcement officer.
The purpose of this Order is to provide for protection of public health and safety by limiting the
potential for incidental or accidental exposure to the fish piscicide during the period the fish piscicide is
being applied.
Closure order #02-500 is posted on the Carson National Forest website under Alerts and Notices.
More information about the Carson National Forest is available on the forest’s website at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Carson and through social media on Facebook and Twitter pages.
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