Fremont-Winema National Forest proposes recreation fee increases

Lakeview, OR, July 1, 2024— The Fremont-Winema National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at developed recreation sites across the forest.

“The costs associated with the repair and maintenance of recreation features continue to rise,” said Scott Stoffel, Recreation Program Manager for the Fremont-Winema National Forest. “Additional fee revenue will help us keep pace with these increasing expenses so we can continue to improve the public’s experience at Forest recreation sites. 

Including the proposed sites, over 65% of the highly developed recreation sites on the Fremont-Winema National Forest would still not require a fee.

Proposed fees are listed by site and Ranger District in the below tables.

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 use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Eighty percent or more of the revenue from recreation fees remains on the forests to operate, maintain, and improve facilities. 

Raising the revenue collected through recreation fees would help the Fremont-Winema National Forest improve infrastructure at campsites and day-use sites and provide additional staffing during the season of operation. The financial resources 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.

These fee changes will be reviewed by a citizen’s advisory committee. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.

The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program. The comment period is set to end by close of business on August 29, 2024.  To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to Fremont-Winema National Forest, Attention: Scott Stoffel and Lena Rux, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630 or sm.fs.Fee_Proposal@usda.gov. Comments can also be provided online at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/46ac41aeaace4ae68a9d8c98c4153ea6 

Oral comments must be provided in person at the Fremont-Winema National Forest to Scott Stoffel during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) or by calling 541-947-2151 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes. For more information on the proposed project, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema. 

Once public involvement is complete, the proposed fee changes will be reviewed by a Resource Advisory Committee, who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.