US Forest Service officials are proposing increases in fees at several recreation sites on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The public is invited to provide input on the plan until September 18. Comments may be provided online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/conf/2017recfeeproposals or by visiting a District Office.
"Public lands benefit every American, and recreation fee revenue helps protect the land and enhance recreation opportunities on our national forests," said Forest Supervisor Betty Jewett of the USFS office in Gainesville. "We need to work together to sustain high quality recreation experiences that support local communities, make memories and nurture the land."
The goal of the proposed changes is to establish a consistent pricing for developed recreation sites for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, according to a USFS press release. In addition, many day-use sites will now accept the suite of "America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands" (Interagency) passes.
Current pricing at many national forest sites have remained static for over a decade and have not kept pace with other recreation sites with similar services and amenities. officials say. Many sites have also received various improvements and upgrades.
These fee changes are only proposed. After public comment is received, the Forest Service will assess the comments and concerns and then present the fee proposals to the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee in this Fall. This committee will provide recommendations on the fee proposals and the Regional Forester will make a decision on the proposals. The Recreation RAC is a citizen's advisory committee that represents a broad array of recreation interests.
Proposed fee changes include increasing camping fees to $10, $15 or $20 a night depending on amenities. Day-use sites such as picnic sites, trailheads and swim sites would change to $5 per vehicle. Most shooting ranges would change to $5 per user.
The proposed fee changes are:
|
Recreation Site
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
$5.00/person
|
$0.00
|
|
|
$3.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
|
$3.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
|
$3.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
|
$3.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
Recreation Site
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
$3.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
|
$12.00/campsite
|
$20.00/campsite
|
|
|
$10.00/campsite
|
$15.00/campsite
|
|
| Deep Hole Day Use | $3.00/vehicle | $5.00/vehicle |
|
$10.00/campsite
|
$15.00/campsite
|
|
Recreation Site
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/user
|
|
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/user
|
|
|
$2.00/vehicle
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
|
$10.00/campsite
|
$15.00/campsite
|
|
|
$10.00/campsite
|
$15.00/campsite
|
|
|
$0.00
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
Recreation Site
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
$0.00
|
$5.00/vehicle
|
|
|
For more information or to provide comments about this fee proposal for the RRAC to consider, please visit our webpage at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/conf/2017recfeeproposals.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/8/572215/us-forest-service-proposes-recreation-fee-increases-in-georgia