The Compendium is the body of regulations specific to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. These regulations do not supersede 36CFR, but they can be more specific, and they address which permits a visitor will need for specific activities. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument welcomes comments about its programs and activities. Comments specific to the Superintendent's Compendium will be accepted at any time. Any changes accepted by the Superintendent as a result of public comment will be incorporated into the Compendium without further public comment or review. You may email us or write to: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Attention: Superintendent, 32651 Highway 19, Kimberly, OR 97848. Approved by Roy Zipp, Superintendent, Octoboer 14, 2022 36 CFR §1.5 - VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES(a)(1) The following closures are established for all or a portion of the park to all public use or to a certain use or activity:
ClosuresFoot travel in the area identified as Blue Basin is restricted to two delineated and maintained trails (Island in Time Trail and the Overlook Trail), unless a uniformed National Park Service employee accompanies person(s). Blue Basin is identified on all National Park Service maps of JODA, including the official free park brochure entitled "John Day Fossil Beds." The Superintendent may issue a letter of authorization for a person(s) engaged in non-resource damaging activities to be off the delineated trails in this area without escort.
Blue Basin is one of the areas of highest paleontological concentrations in JODA and also one of the most accessible. Fossil material, particularly the bones of small species, is very difficult to see in the surface of the clay. Once near or exposed at the surface, the material is extremely fragile. A misplaced footstep can destroy such specimens. Material can also be dislodged from their places of burial, thereby significantly reducing their scientific integrity and value. JUSTIFICATION The Clarno Unit rock formations consist of rock that is of poor climbing quality thus increasing the likelihood of climbing accidents and injuries. Access to medical treatment for such injuries would be difficult and slow. The Palisades are ancient lahars and some layers contain fossils that could be damaged by climbing activity. (a)(2) The following areas have been designated for a specific use or activity, under the conditions and/or restrictions as noted:
Filming Activities:The following types of filming activities may occur in areas open to the public without a permit and without advance notice to the NPS:
If the Superintendent determines that the terms and conditions of a permit could not mitigate the concerns identified above in an acceptable manner, the Superintendent may deny a filming request without issuing a permit. The Superintendent will provide the basis for denial in writing upon request. §1.5(d) Public Use Limits -- Pursuant to §1.5(d) to implement a public use limit, the Superintendent may establish a permit, registration, or reservations system:
36 CFR §1.6 -ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT
III. GENERAL REGULATIONS36 CFR §2.1 - PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES(b) Hiking or pedestrian traffic is restricted to the trail tread or walkway on the following trails/walkways: Foot travel in the area identified as Blue Basin is restricted to two delineated and maintained trails (Island in Time Trail and the Blue Basin Overlook Trail}, unless a uniformed National Park Service employee accompanies person(s). Blue Basin is identified on all National Park Service maps of JODA, including the official free park brochure entitled "John Day Fossil Beds." The Superintendent may issue a letter of authorization for a person(s) engaged in non-resource damaging activities to be off the delineated trails in this area without escort. JUSTIFICATION Blue Basin is one of the areas of highest paleontological concentrations in JODA and also one of the most accessible. Fossil material, particularly the bones of small species, is very difficult to see in the surface of the clay. Once near or exposed at the surface, the material is extremely fragile. A misplaced footstep can destroy such specimens. Material can also be dislodged from their places of burial, thereby significantly reducing their scientific integrity and value. Two trails (Island in Time Trail and the Overlook Trail) provide visitors the opportunity to walk among the formations and to observe the fossil bed layers up close. Other opportunities for viewing fossils are provided in excursions led by Park staff. The travel paths for these excursions follow specific routes that have been surveyed to assure no fossils occur which might be damaged by foot traffic.
JUSTIFICATION Apple and pear trees within the James Cant Ranch Historic District are non-native to the area and are maintained for cultural landscape reasons. JODA staff manages park wildlife to survive under native conditions. For this reason the gathering or consumption of apples and pears within the Cant Ranch Historic District will not adversely impact park wildlife or otherwise adversely affect park resources. 36 CFR §2.2 - WILDLIFE PROTECTION(d) The transporting of lawfully taken wildlife through the park is permitted under the following conditions and procedures: Lawfully taken wildlife may be transported through the Monument by vehicle on those Monument roads within Federal jurisdiction. Such transportation through the Monument must utilize the shortest possible direct route and shortest possible amount of time between where the vehicle first entered the Monument to the logical exit from Monument roads within Federal jurisdiction to the destination of the transporter. This means that only through roads can be utilized for this purpose. Roads or parking areas that end within the Monument's boundaries are prohibited from being utilized to transport lawfully taken wildlife. JUSTIFICATION Federal jurisdiction does not apply to U.S. Highway 26, Oregon Highway 19, or Oregon Highway 218 within Monument boundaries, and therefore this regulation is not applicable to them. However, the Painted Hills Road, the Bear Creek Road, and three "Administrative Use Roads" do apply to transportation of lawfully taken wildlife. The Painted Hills Road and the Bear Creek Road are both open to the general public and provide the only access to some parcels of Bureau of Land Management administered lands open to public hunting. The three "Administrative Use Roads" are open to those issued a permit under 36 CFR § 2.4(d) of this Compendium.
(e) The following areas are closed to the viewing of wildlife with the use of an artificial light:
JUSTIFICATION JODA has a history of wildlife being illegally taken adjacent to roads. The Monument has lost a significant gene pool with these takings. Taking these animals with the aid of the use of artificial light is one method suspected by Monument staff. Preventing this method of viewing wildlife makes detecting wildlife violations easier, it makes criminal cases stronger in court, and it prevents wildlife disturbance while feeding, mating, and other activities that are necessary for them to survive. 36 CFR §2.4 - WEAPONS, TRAPS, AND NETS(d) The superintendent may issue a permit to carry or possess a weapon, trap, or net under the following circumstances:
A permit from the Superintendent or his officially delegated representative is required for a person(s) to carry or possess a weapon, trap or net who is accessing otherwise inaccessible lands or waters contiguous to JODA when other means of access are otherwise impracticable or impossible. JUSTIFICATION Reasonable ability to access contiguous lands open to hunting and trapping fosters community support for JODA management and other Federal regulations. When done legally this activity has no documented negative impacts on JODA resources. 36 CFR §2.10-CAMPING and FOOD STORAGE(a) Camping is prohibited throughout the Monument except when in possession of a permit from the Superintendent for areas designated by the Superintendent. JUSTIFICATION Sufficient public lands exist outside park boundaries for camping. Camping in certain areas may damage paleontological and other resources.
36 CFR §2.15 - PETS(a)(1) Structures or areas closed to the possession of pets by the Superintendent: Possessing a pet(s) is prohibited in non-developed areas other than on designated trails. This section does not apply to guide dogs accompanying visually impaired persons, hearing ear dogs accompanying hearing impaired persons, or dogs used by authorized Federal, State and local law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties. JUSTIFICATION Pets often kill or injure wildlife due to their predatory instincts. Wildlife is more frequently found in JODA 's non-developed areas. Prohibiting pets in non-developed areas protects wildlife.
Pets may be left tied to trees or picnic tables at the Cant Ranch Visitor Center, the Painted Hills Picnic Area, or the Clarno Picnic Area while their owner(s) are inside the structures associated with these areas. Such pets must be tied with a leash that shall not exceed six feet in length. Such pets will not be allowed to make unreasonable noise as described in 36 CFR §2.15(a)(4). JUSTIFICATION Visitors wish to enter the listed structures to gain information, learn about the Monument, or meet sanitary needs. All of these purposes either enhance or are neutral to the park's mission and significance. Outside temperatures are often too high for such visitors to safely leave a pet inside their vehicle.
Pets kept by Monument residents at Government residences may only allow such pets to be unrestrained within the curtilage of that residence. Cost for the repair of damage caused by pets to Government residences, other than normal wear and-tear, will be borne by the assigned Monument employee residing in the residence. 36 CFR §2.16- HORSES and PACK ANIMALS(a) The following animals are designated as pack animals:
(b) The use of horses or pack animals within JODA is prohibited on Federally owned lands in all developed areas except for loading and unloading, and in the non-developed areas listed below:
JUSTIFICATION Use of horses and pack animals in non-developed areas of JODA has not proven to significantly impact park resources or values, except in those "exposed areas" noted above as closed to the use of horses and pack animals. 36 CFR §2.21 - SMOKING(a) The following portions of the Monument, or all or portions of buildings, structures or facilities are closed to smoking:
JUSTIFICATION Prohibiting smoking within and near structures protects employees, visitors, and the structures themselves from potential fire and smoke hazards. Prohibiting smoking within Government vehicles protects employees, visitors, and the vehicles themselves from potential fire and smoke hazards. Prohibiting smoking near fuel and fuel containers protects employees, visitors, and Government property from potential fire and smoke hazards. 6 CFR §2.62 - MEMORIALIZATION(b) A permit is required for the scattering of ashes from cremated human remains in the following areas, and/or according to the following terms and conditions:
JUSTIFICATION The four numbered agricultural fields that are part of the James Cant Ranch Historic District are tilled for hay & alfalfa production. Because these soils are disturbed routinely and contained introduced herbicides and fertilizers, human ashes will not derogate JODA resources or values in these specific areas. 36 CFR §3.6 - BOATING OPERATIONS(i) The following areas/sites are designated for the launching of vessels propelled by machinery:
36 CFR §3.21 - SWIMMING AND BATHING(a)(2) The following restrictions apply to all swimming and bathing activities:
JUSTIFICATION Restricting bathing with soap, detergent, or other cleaning type products prevents water pollution and derogation of natural resources (water quality, fish, wildlife, riparian vegetation, fresh water dependent vertebrates and invertebrates). 36 CFR §4.10 - TRAVEL ON PARK ROADS AND ROUTES(a) Park roads, open for travel by motor vehicle are those indicated in the following publication:
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Last updated: October 19, 2022