Klamath National Forest is inviting the public to provide comments on proposed fee changes at 35 developed recreation sites across the forest. Comment period has been extended until September 30, 2024.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, 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. Of the revenue collected from recreation fees, 80% remains on the forest to operate, maintain, and improve facilities. Raising the revenue collected through recreation fees would help the forest improve infrastructure at recreation sites and hire additional recreation staff during the season of operation. 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 current and future generations.
Including the proposed sites, 68% (76 out of 111) of developed recreation sites would still remain free. Comments will be collected throughout the 2024 recreation season. Fee increases are not expected to take effect until 2025. Some sites can be reserved through www.recreation.gov for an added $8 reservation fee.
Additionally, 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 that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.
The proposed fee changes include:
- Increasing fees at 18 developed campgrounds and group campgrounds. Most of these fees have not been increased for more than a decade.
- Adding nine new overnight fee sites, which includes four campgrounds, four new yurt rentals, and one group campground.
- Adding a new fee at eight developed day use sites. The new Klamath National Forest Recreation Pass will allow visitors to enjoy as many of the eight new developed day use sites as desired for the day ($5.00) or annually ($30.00 per calendar year). The day use sites include six developed day use areas and two developed trailheads.
- All America the Beautiful interagency passes including the Annual, Senior, Military, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes will be honored at these day use sites.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program. The comment period opened on May 20, 2024, and will close end of business on September 30, 2024. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to Klamath National Forest, Attention: Kristian Schenk, 1711 South Main St, Yreka, CA 96097 or R5KNFeeProp@usda.gov. Comments can also be provided online at https://arcg.is/iXXmz.
Oral comments may be provided via phone or in person by appointment only by contacting Kristian Schenk at 530-925-0232. For more information on the proposed project, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/klamath.