After monitoring use at Siuslaw National Forest recreation sites the past 10 days, agency officials announced Tuesday they are tightening restrictions by closing all developed Forest Service recreation sites in support of state and local directives asking that people stay home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The directive follows similar closures of Lincoln County and Oregon State campgrounds, parks and boat ramps a week ago.
Forest Service offices are currently conducting public business by phone, email, or through web-based transactions.
Siuslaw National Forest officials said developed recreation sites include, but aren’t exclusive to, all trailheads, picnic areas, visitor centers, interpretive sites, boat launches, off-road vehicle staging areas, and campgrounds. Developed recreation sites may be a complex of sites and their access roads, or could be a trail that has some improvements (such as interpretive signs) along the way.
Trailheads are considered developed sites, but most trails are not.
At the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area, all recreational use is currently prohibited in support of similar decisions made by Oregon State Parks and local communities to reduce visitation and address the “stay home” directive announced March 23 by Gov. Kate Brown.
The Forest Service said the closures will remain in place until it is considered safe for employees and the public to reopen recreation sites and areas. The legal closure order lasts until September 30 or until conditions are such that it can be rescinded. Officials will continue to monitor the situation and may modify closures as needed.