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Bears prompt food-storage order in Roaring Fork & Eagle valleys

Due to recent increased bear activity, a food storage order has been implemented for all developed recreation sites on the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District in the upper Roaring Fork Valley of Pitkin County, including the designated campsites along Lincoln Creek and Castle Creek. Nineteen sites on the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District in Eagle County are also included. This order has been implemented to provide for public safety, wildlife conservation and reduce wildlife habituation problems. A copy of Special Order 2310-3 found on the forest web page along with locations: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5422606.pdf.

The food storage order helps break the bear’s link between human presence and a possible reward of food or garbage. If bears don’t get rewarded, their natural behavior is to avoid humans and their belongings. Compared to natural foods that bears eat in the wild, human food and garbage have a tremendous amount of calories, fat and nutrients.

Visitors to the specified camping sites must store their food, cooking equipment, cooking utensils and coolers in a bear-resistant container, such as a closed, locked vehicle or food locker.




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