Forest Service Seeking Fee Comments
Climbers - your input is needed. The Forest Service is seeking comments for a proposal to charge use fees at popular trailheads in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The proposal includes new, increased, and some decreased fees at 119 day-use and campground sites. Recreation Enhancement Act Fee Program Public Comment Period is open until September 7. Send your comments to SM.FS.UWCFeeProp@usda.gov
The Forest Service manages areas affected by millions of visits in a year. Maintaining picnic areas, campgrounds, trailhead bathrooms, dispersed camping, and trails with such high visitation numbers is a resource intensive task. The SLCA recognizes the need for the Forest Service to charge fees for popular recreation sites in order to address a backlog of stewardship actions. While we recognize these needs, we also encourage you to review and understand this proposal, and provide feedback to the Forest Service, as climbers in the Wasatch stand to be affected by the proposed use fees.
Fee and maintenance are necessary, but should be deliberately and equitably applied. How are the fee amounts being determined, and are specific user groups being considered at a given trailhead or area? Will these fees go back into climbing infrastructure like climbing access trail and anchor maintenance? These are questions to keep in mind while considering the proposed changes.
Visit the link below to visit the Forest Service website and learn more about the proposed changes coming to trailheads near you.
