Catoctin Mountain Park COVID-19 Closure Order

Catoctin Mountain Park COVID-19 Closure Order

10D (CATO-VRP)

Closure Order #20-001
April 10, 2020

Closures, restrictions and public use limits:

Closure Order – Portion of a Park Area: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the follow park areas and facilities are closed, effective immediately, until further notice:

• Visitor Center
• Camp Round Meadow
• Poplar Grove Group Campground
• Adirondack Shelters
• Chestnut picnic area
• Owens Creek picnic area
• Camp Greentop
• Camp Misty Mount
• Owens Creek campground

Authority: 36 CFR 1.5(a)(1)
Restrictions and Public Use Limits: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following activities are restricted in Catoctin Mountain Park effective immediately, until further notice:

• gatherings of more than 10 persons

Authority: 36 CFR 1.5(a)(1)-(2)
Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Catoctin Mountain Park, including park visitors, government employees, concession employees, park residents and stakeholders, except as follows: National Park Service employees conducting essential or critical work in support of public safety, resource protection or park operations.

Finding: The NPS issues this administrative order for the purposes of maintaining public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. This order is consistent with the following state of Maryland public health directives:

• Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland #20-03-30-01 requiring all persons to stay at home (https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gatherings-FOURTH-AMENDED-3.30.20.pdf).

This directive requires the NPS to take the actions identified above because:

• They are consistent with public health guidelines designed to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Given the state of the virus in Maryland, with widespread community transmission, the Governor has determined that residents should stay at home and avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people. Allowing individuals to occupy and use park facilities, including the visitor center, picnic areas, campgrounds, and cabin camps, increases the risk of disease introduction and spread. Closing these facilities will limit the potential for groups of more than 10 persons to gather together.
• Further, the Governor’s order requires all residents to stay at home except to conduct or participate in Essential Activities, which does not include camping or other overnight activities supported by park facilities, including the campgrounds, cabin camps and Adirondack shelters. Closure of these facilities will serve the public health goal of limiting community spread of the virus by keeping people at home unless they are engaging in essential activities as defined by the Governor’s order

This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. The effectiveness of this order will be assessed on an ongoing basis, and the order will be modified or rescinded when conditions warrant.

 

Digital Signature Rick Slade Superintendent

 

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