February 6, 2023 10:40 a.m.

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to establish a new fee at the Hemlock Butte Ski Cabin and is soliciting comments from the public until the end of March.

Vern Shumway of the UNF said the new fee is being considered to allow the forest to continue operating and maintaining the cabin. Shumway said fees will be used to provide for the continued operations and maintenance of the cabin and health and safety of cabin users. Recent maintenance and operating projects have included a new wood stove and health and safety items. Shumway said future projects may include bathroom and firewood storage facilities. Recreation fees on the Umpqua were last changed in 2009. The Umpqua took public comments in 2022 for other proposed fee changes on the forest.

A release said Forest Service staff will evaluate and later present the public comments and input to a citizen advisory committee. The advisory committee will review all recommended fee changes before making recommendations to the Regional Forester.

The cabin is currently free. The proposed fee at the Hemlock Butte Ski Cabin is $10 per person. A complete list of sites with proposed changes is linked: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1049177

Written comments on the proposal should be mailed by March 31st to the Umpqua National Forest, Attention: Recreation Fees, at 2900 Northwest Stewart Parkway in Roseburg, 97471. They can also be emailed to: SM.FS.umpcomments@usda.gov