SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - Prescott National Forest Proposed Rec Fee Changes

Starting point is 00:00:00 Text to Speech Audio Articles made possible by Cast 11 Talking Glass Media. The Prescott National Forest, PNF, is proposing to change the management of a camping area on Mingus Mountain. The PNF proposes to convert several existing campsites currently managed under a special use permit for a private club to public use. The new campground would require a fee of $1.18 slash night, which is commensurate with other PNF campgrounds. As more people see cooler, high elevation recreation recreation opportunities during the hot summer months, the forest is seeking to maximize access to such opportunities by making these campsites available to the public, said Prescott Forest Supervisor Sarah Clausen. The fees collected will help us maintain these sites into the future. Not all recreation sites in the forest require a fee. Including the site in this proposal, over 57% of the sites in the forest would remain free.

Starting point is 00:00:53 Powell Springs Campground, which is available year round, would also remain free. Additionally, some America the Beautiful Passes allow a 50, percent reduction in camping fees. The proposed fee is listed in the table below. Site name. Current fee. Proposed fee. North Mingus Campground. Single site fee, $0. Double site fee, $0. Single site fee, $18. Double site would be available on Recreation.gov with an additional reservation fee of $8. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, REA, which allows the Forest Service to retain at least 80% of the money collected at recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Revenue collected through recreation fees

Starting point is 00:01:46 helps the forest maintain sites in safe, usable condition. It also pays for recreation employee salaries and can be used for larger-scale rejuvenation projects, such as repaving access roads and parking areas. Recreation fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and create a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations. The public is invited to comment on the proposed recreation fee changes. The comment period is set to end by the close of business on August 25, 2025. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to. Prescott National Forest

Starting point is 00:02:26 Attention, Julie Rowe, Recreation Program Manager 735 North Highway 89, Chino Valley, Arizona 8632323. Julie.Row at USDA.gov. Comments can also be provided online at storymaps.archies.com. Oral comments must be provided in person at the Prescott National Forest to Julie Row during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment or by calling 928-856-2687 and indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes. For more information, visit our website. Once public involvement is complete,

Starting point is 00:03:06 these recreation fee changes will be reviewed by a Citizens 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 recreation fees. The committee will submit its recommendation to the regional forester for a final decision. Catch up with more local news stories on Signalsaz.com. Subscribe and be the F1RSD2 No.

SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - Prescott National Forest Proposed Rec Fee Changes

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