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09-14-2007, 10:55 AM
News Release
Tahoe National Forest
631 Coyote St.
Nevada City CA 95959
September 5 , 2007
Contact:
Ann Westling, Public Affairs Officer, 530-478-6205
TNF 5-Year Developed Recreation Plan - Proposed Changes - Comments Due October 5, 2007
Nevada City … The Forest Service has completed an analysis looking at the 149 recreation sites in the Tahoe National Forest for the next 5 years. This has been completed through a process called "Recreation Facility Analysis" to determine how current facilities should be mantained, given changing public recreation patterns, increased maintenance costs, and decling budgets. National Forests around the country are conducting similar studies and following a similar process.
Many of the Tahoe’s recreation sites were built 30-70 years ago while others have been built more recently. A primary reason for the plan is to align the the facilities with funding available to operate and maintain them to standard while eliminating the backlog of deferred maintenance. “This effort will help focus limited resources on the recreation sites that best meet changing public recreation desires and involve those recreationists that use the sites most frequently,” stated Steve Eubanks, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor.
The outcome of the study recommends no major changes for the majority of the 149 sites other than basic repairs of existing facilities. A few sites are recommended for closure, many for additional maintenance, some with a shorter or longer season, and a few with new or increased fees. Many of the TNF sites are currently managed by concessionaires and their imput is also being sought. The changes proposed are as follows:
* 24 sites would experience changes in the length of time the sites would be available for public use; some with longer seasons and some with shorter seasons. The sites where use is currently low - usually in early spring or late fall would remain closed during the low use periods but still be available during the periods of higher use.
* 14 sites would have a potential change in operators – possibly by partners, volunteers, or concessionaires.
* 11 sites are proposed for small fee increases or for implementation of a new fee.
* 18 sites are slated for major repair or increased services to better meet public needs.
* 3 sites are recommended for phased in closures
* 5 sites would have some amenities removed (example: trash containers or grills)
* 1 site is recommended to change from a day use area to a group campground
* 1 site is recommended to change from a picnic ground to a trailhead.
Before the plan is finalized, it must be approved by the Pacific Southwest Regional Forester and any changes in fees at sites not operated by concessions would need to be reviewed by the California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, a federal advisory body for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in California.
The Forest Service is seeking public comment on this analysis. Comments are due by October 5, 2007. Comments should be mailed to: Recreation Facility Analysis, 631 Coyote St, Nevada City, CA 95959 or emailed to tnf_rfa@fs.fed.us Additional information is available at www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/rfsmp/ or by calling:
* North Yuba Ranger District - Joe Chavez, (530) 288-3231 or 478-6158
* American River Ranger District – Ed Moore (530) 367-2224
* Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts – Mary Westmoreland (530) 587-3558
* Tahoe National Forest Headquarters – Bonnie Petitt (530) 478-6207
Click here for additional information - Recreation Facility Analysis - http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/rsfmp/index.shtml
Tahoe National Forest
631 Coyote St.
Nevada City CA 95959
September 5 , 2007
Contact:
Ann Westling, Public Affairs Officer, 530-478-6205
TNF 5-Year Developed Recreation Plan - Proposed Changes - Comments Due October 5, 2007
Nevada City … The Forest Service has completed an analysis looking at the 149 recreation sites in the Tahoe National Forest for the next 5 years. This has been completed through a process called "Recreation Facility Analysis" to determine how current facilities should be mantained, given changing public recreation patterns, increased maintenance costs, and decling budgets. National Forests around the country are conducting similar studies and following a similar process.
Many of the Tahoe’s recreation sites were built 30-70 years ago while others have been built more recently. A primary reason for the plan is to align the the facilities with funding available to operate and maintain them to standard while eliminating the backlog of deferred maintenance. “This effort will help focus limited resources on the recreation sites that best meet changing public recreation desires and involve those recreationists that use the sites most frequently,” stated Steve Eubanks, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor.
The outcome of the study recommends no major changes for the majority of the 149 sites other than basic repairs of existing facilities. A few sites are recommended for closure, many for additional maintenance, some with a shorter or longer season, and a few with new or increased fees. Many of the TNF sites are currently managed by concessionaires and their imput is also being sought. The changes proposed are as follows:
* 24 sites would experience changes in the length of time the sites would be available for public use; some with longer seasons and some with shorter seasons. The sites where use is currently low - usually in early spring or late fall would remain closed during the low use periods but still be available during the periods of higher use.
* 14 sites would have a potential change in operators – possibly by partners, volunteers, or concessionaires.
* 11 sites are proposed for small fee increases or for implementation of a new fee.
* 18 sites are slated for major repair or increased services to better meet public needs.
* 3 sites are recommended for phased in closures
* 5 sites would have some amenities removed (example: trash containers or grills)
* 1 site is recommended to change from a day use area to a group campground
* 1 site is recommended to change from a picnic ground to a trailhead.
Before the plan is finalized, it must be approved by the Pacific Southwest Regional Forester and any changes in fees at sites not operated by concessions would need to be reviewed by the California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, a federal advisory body for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in California.
The Forest Service is seeking public comment on this analysis. Comments are due by October 5, 2007. Comments should be mailed to: Recreation Facility Analysis, 631 Coyote St, Nevada City, CA 95959 or emailed to tnf_rfa@fs.fed.us Additional information is available at www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/rfsmp/ or by calling:
* North Yuba Ranger District - Joe Chavez, (530) 288-3231 or 478-6158
* American River Ranger District – Ed Moore (530) 367-2224
* Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts – Mary Westmoreland (530) 587-3558
* Tahoe National Forest Headquarters – Bonnie Petitt (530) 478-6207
Click here for additional information - Recreation Facility Analysis - http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/rsfmp/index.shtml