Higher Tellico OHV Area Fees Proposed

NIB-98TJ · 03-06-2007, 07:23 AM

May be old news to y'all, I don't know. It's the first I've heard of it.

http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.co...?TID=2703&PN=1

NIB

February 15. 2007 12:00AM

National forests consider raising fees
From staff reports

National Forests in North Carolina are taking public comments on a proposal to increase fees at several recreation sites on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, including the Cradle of Forestry in America.

The agency has not increased most fees in two years. Most of the money collected at the sites, 80 to 90 percent, would remain in the forest to operate, maintain and improve the facilities and programs at the recreation sites, according to a Forest Service news release.

"We are experiencing tremendous increases in recreation uses on the National Forests in North Carolina. We are one of the most visited national forest units in the country. We want to be able to provide quality recreation facilities to meet this demand," said Dave Wright, developed recreation program manager.

At the Cradle of Forestry in America in Transylvania County, the agency proposes to increase fees for special events from $5 per adult per event and $2.50 for youth to $6 per adult per event and $3 for youth. For educational workshops the plan is to increase fees from the current charge of $6 to $35 per person for a single day workshop to $6 to $45 per person for a single day workshop, and $200 per couple and a six-workshop series.

The agency also proposes to charge a fee for reserving picnic shelters on the Pisgah, Grandfather, Appalachian, Cheoah and Tusquitee Ranger Districts. No fee would be charged for use of the shelters during times they are not reserved. The shelters and the proposed fees include Sycamore Flats, Pink Beds, Mortimer, Murray Branch, Cherokee Lake, Jackrabbit, Hanging Dog and Cheoah Point shelters ($34 per half day/ $49 per whole day).

Picnic shelter use fees are currently charged at the Cliffside Lake and Standing Indian day use areas on the Highlands and Wayah Ranger Districts. The shelters seat from 24 to 32 people. On-site amenities typically include potable water, toilets, parking, lakefront or riverfront access for fishing or swimming, trash collection and information board. Users wanting to reserve the shelters would make reservations via toll free number (877) 444-6777 or online at www.reserveusa.com

Other fee increases are proposed for Off Highway Vehicle areas and some campgrounds on the Nantahala National Forest. For instance, at Cheoah Point Campground on Lake Santeetlah the current fee of $8 per site per night would increase to $15 per site per night.

At Tellico OHV Area on the Tusquitee Ranger District in Cherokee County, fees are proposed to increase from $5 per day per person and $30 per season pass per person to $10 per day and $60 per season pass per person.

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to keep 95 percent of fees collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate and maintain and improve these sites.

TrailLegacy · 03-06-2007, 02:14 PM

I heard about it here http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=554812 then asked who actually proposed the fee increase in the first place...management or us.(at least it seemed like something we should know).

For some reason, the question went unanswered.......

03-06-2007, 07:23 AM	#1
NIB-98TJ Wheeler Join Date: Dec 2002 Member # 15447 Location: Flat Rock, Al Posts: 464	Higher Tellico OHV Area Fees Proposed May be old news to y'all, I don't know. It's the first I've heard of it. http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.co...?TID=2703&PN=1 NIB February 15. 2007 12:00AM National forests consider raising fees From staff reports National Forests in North Carolina are taking public comments on a proposal to increase fees at several recreation sites on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, including the Cradle of Forestry in America. The agency has not increased most fees in two years. Most of the money collected at the sites, 80 to 90 percent, would remain in the forest to operate, maintain and improve the facilities and programs at the recreation sites, according to a Forest Service news release. "We are experiencing tremendous increases in recreation uses on the National Forests in North Carolina. We are one of the most visited national forest units in the country. We want to be able to provide quality recreation facilities to meet this demand," said Dave Wright, developed recreation program manager. At the Cradle of Forestry in America in Transylvania County, the agency proposes to increase fees for special events from $5 per adult per event and $2.50 for youth to $6 per adult per event and $3 for youth. For educational workshops the plan is to increase fees from the current charge of $6 to $35 per person for a single day workshop to $6 to $45 per person for a single day workshop, and $200 per couple and a six-workshop series. The agency also proposes to charge a fee for reserving picnic shelters on the Pisgah, Grandfather, Appalachian, Cheoah and Tusquitee Ranger Districts. No fee would be charged for use of the shelters during times they are not reserved. The shelters and the proposed fees include Sycamore Flats, Pink Beds, Mortimer, Murray Branch, Cherokee Lake, Jackrabbit, Hanging Dog and Cheoah Point shelters ($34 per half day/ $49 per whole day). Picnic shelter use fees are currently charged at the Cliffside Lake and Standing Indian day use areas on the Highlands and Wayah Ranger Districts. The shelters seat from 24 to 32 people. On-site amenities typically include potable water, toilets, parking, lakefront or riverfront access for fishing or swimming, trash collection and information board. Users wanting to reserve the shelters would make reservations via toll free number (877) 444-6777 or online at www.reserveusa.com Other fee increases are proposed for Off Highway Vehicle areas and some campgrounds on the Nantahala National Forest. For instance, at Cheoah Point Campground on Lake Santeetlah the current fee of $8 per site per night would increase to $15 per site per night. At Tellico OHV Area on the Tusquitee Ranger District in Cherokee County, fees are proposed to increase from $5 per day per person and $30 per season pass per person to $10 per day and $60 per season pass per person. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to keep 95 percent of fees collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate and maintain and improve these sites. __________________ SAVE TELLICO!! - SFWDA TELLICO RESCUE FUND SAVE TELLICO!! - BUY TELLICO STUFF HERE Gray Rock XRRA 2009 on Vimeo Last edited by NIB-98TJ; 03-06-2007 at 07:27 AM.

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03-06-2007, 02:14 PM	#2
TrailLegacy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 84193 Posts: 194	I heard about it here http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=554812 then asked who actually proposed the fee increase in the first place...management or us.(at least it seemed like something we should know). For some reason, the question went unanswered.......