March 5, 2020 3:30 a.m.
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a new fee of $10 per night at Hemlock Butte Ski Cabin on the Umpqua National Forest.
Mark Turney said the agency is soliciting comments from the public on the proposal between now and July 31st.
Turney said the fee change is being considered to allow the forest to continue to provide services, and for maintenance and improvement projects at the cabin. He said recreation fees on the Umpqua National Forest were last changed in 2009.
Turney said Forest Service staff will evaluate and later present the public input comments and input to a citizen advisory committee. That group will review the recommended change before making a recommendation to the Regional Forester. He said the change would not go into effect until after the Regional Forester approves it after having reviewed public comments and other associated data.
The Forest Service release said Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act in 2004. It authorizes the agency and other federal land-management agencies to collect and retain recreation fees at public recreation sites and use the funds to operate, maintain, and improve the fee sites. Recent recreation site investments on the Umpqua National Forest made possible using recreation fees include sewer system upgrades at Diamond Lake, water system upgrades at Rujada and Horseshoe Bend campgrounds and new propane appliances at Acker Rock Lookout.
Written comments on the proposal should be mailed to the Umpqua National Forest at 2900 Stewart Parkway, in Roseburg 97471. They can be emailed to: SM.FS.umpcomments@usda.gov.
Call the Umpqua National Forest office for more information.