Kisatchie National Forest Announces Fee Change
By: USDA Forest Service
Updated: February 21, 2013
Pineville, La. (February 21, 2013) - Kisatchie National Forest is proposing to discontinue the pilot test of the Forest Annual Trails Permit for youth aged 15 and under. This permit allows youth to ride on the Claiborne, Enduro, Livingston and Sandstone Trail Systems for one year at an annual rate of $25.
The $25 annual trails permit for youth was first introduced in 2008 as a pilot test. Since then, less than twenty permits have been sold. To receive the discounted youth permit, the applicant had to show a Rider Safety Training Permit. Under this proposal, the $50 Forest Annual Trails Permit, which has remained popular among trail users of all ages, will continue to be available.
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, maintain and improve the sites. The fees collected at these locations on the Kisatchie National Forest have contributed to maintenance of the trails, facilities, and grounds. In addition, fee collections contribute towards the production and design of visitor information.
All fee change proposals will be presented before a citizen's advisory committee, the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, or RRAC. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interests to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable fee changes. Committee members will help ensure that the Forest Service addresses public issues and concerns about recreation fees. The public is welcome to attend and comment at all advisory committee meetings. The next RRAC meeting is expected to be held in spring 2013. The exact meeting time, location and agenda will be announced on www.fs.fed.us/r8/
For information or comments about the fee change, contact Jim Caldwell, Staff Officer for Public Affairs, Recreation and Heritage at Kisatchie National Forest at (318) 473-7160 or jcaldwell@fs.fed.us
