Food Storage Prohibition at Pittsburg Landing Still in Effect
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, September 25th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the Wallowa Whitman National Forest) The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest would like to kindly remind recreators visiting Pittsburg Landing to secure food and refuse in bear-resistant containers or in a closed, hard-sided vehicle. Unattended and unsecured food or refuse could potentially attract bears, or other wildlife.
Bears, mountain lions, and other wildlife that begin to associate people with easy food sources can potentially become dangerous. Food-conditioned animals are often difficult to scare away, returning to areas occupied by humans in search of food, creating concerns for human safety. Ultimately, the animal may need to be euthanized.
To minimize adverse interactions between humans and wildlife, and provide for visitor safety, the following acts are prohibited at Pittsburg Landing of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
PROHIBITIONS:
- Possessing or storing any food or refuse, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.58(cc)
- Possessing, storing, or transporting any bird, fish, or other animal or parts thereof, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.58(s) Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3571, and 3581).
A copy of the Forest Order can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1126007.pdf
For additional information, please call the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area office in Riggins, Idaho at 208-628-3916.
