U.S. Forest Service News Release
Media Contact: Adam Rondeau
828-767-3448
[email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc
Asheville, N.C., May 3, 2024 – The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change fees at several recreation areas on the Nantahala and Uwharrie National Forests and the public is invited to provide input to proposed fee changes for 60 days beginning on May 3 through July 2, 2024. The goal of these changes is to improve visitor experiences through site and trail upgrades paid for by the collected fees.
These fee changes are only proposed. After public comments are received, the Forest Service will assess the comments and concerns and then present the fee proposals to the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) at a future date. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.
“We recognize how important these sites are to our local communities and those who travel great distances to use them. We encourage the public to provide input into fee proposals like these in order to help shape the future of public land access and management,” said Troy Waskey, District Ranger of the Nantahala Ranger District.
The proposed fee changes the Forest Service seeks comment on include:
Cheoah River Paddle Pass – new $10 annual pass option (existing $2 daily pass remains unchanged)
Dry Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Whiteside Mountain – increase from $3 to $5/vehicle per day, increase from $15 to $30 for annual pass*
Uwharrie Hunt Camp – increase from $5 to $15 per night
*Passes purchased are honored across all three sites
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and used these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. The resource derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes by July 2, 2024. For more information visit our webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/recfeeproposals.
To provide comments about these fee proposals for the RRAC to consider, please comment online at our Recreation Fee Proposal Mapping Tool or contact Logan Free at 828-257-4256, by email at [email protected], or by mail at:
ATTN: Recreation Fee Proposals
160A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
National Forests in North Carolina | 160 Zillicoa St, Asheville, NC 28801
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!
FYI
. Forest Service News Release
Media Contact: Adam Rondeau
828-767-3448
[email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc
Asheville, N.C., May 3, 2024 – The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change fees at several recreation areas on the Nantahala and Uwharrie National Forests and the public is invited to provide input to proposed fee changes for 60 days beginning on May 3 through July 2, 2024. The goal of these changes is to improve visitor experiences through site and trail upgrades paid for by the collected fees.
These fee changes are only proposed. After public comments are received, the Forest Service will assess the comments and concerns and then present the fee proposals to the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) at a future date. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.
“We recognize how important these sites are to our local communities and those who travel great distances to use them. We encourage the public to provide input into fee proposals like these in order to help shape the future of public land access and management,” said Troy Waskey, District Ranger of the Nantahala Ranger District.
The proposed fee changes the Forest Service seeks comment on include:
Cheoah River Paddle Pass – new $10 annual pass option (existing $2 daily pass remains unchanged)
Dry Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Whiteside Mountain – increase from $3 to $5/vehicle per day, increase from $15 to $30 for annual pass*
Uwharrie Hunt Camp – increase from $5 to $15 per night
*Passes purchased are honored across all three sites
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and used these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. The resource derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes by July 2, 2024. For more information visit our webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/recfeeproposals.
To provide comments about these fee proposals for the RRAC to consider, please comment online at our Recreation Fee Proposal Mapping Tool or contact Logan Free at 828-257-4256, by email at [email protected], or by mail at:
ATTN: Recreation Fee Proposals
160A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks