| I've heard rumors about user fees in the White Mountains National
Forest and yesterday on NPR's Morning Edition they interviewed someone
from the USFS who confirmed them. I missed the beginning of the
interview, so I'm not sure if they definitely planned to implement fees
this year or if they were still in the discussion stage.
The fees are going to be for trailhead parking. They will charge $5
for a 3-day pass or $25(?) for an annual pass. At first, the program
will be voluntary, i.e. they won't tow your car, they'll just leave an
envelope to mail in payment.
That's about all I know. I want to get the facts before commenting,
but I do have a couple of questions. How much trail/shelter
maintanence does the USFS perform compared to groups like the AMC?
Who's responsible for maintaining trailhead parking areas, the USFS or
local and state highway deptartments?
Jamie
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| I heard the interview as well. It was $5 for a one week pass, $20 for a
yearly pass, but nothing is cast in concrete yet. The fees and collection
could change drastically before the plan is implemented, but they are hoping
to get it in place for this summer. It also sounded like the funds raised
would go to the WMNF, not a general fund.
The Forest Service maintains far more trail than the AMC or any of the other
organizations, I believe. They have a paid trail crew that covers trails
all over the Whites. The AMC trails tend to be more popular because of
their location, but the FS trails are everywhere.
There is also a desperate need for ridge runners and the like to help keep
hikers and campers from destroying the terrain. Closing off illegal but
established camp sites and revegitation is needed as well. Some of the
trail maintainence has suffered in recent years as the FS crew has been cut
back. They also maintain about 20 shelters in the Whites, although most of
the real popular ones are run by the AMC or RMC.
I have questions about the plan, such as which parking areas are being
monitored, and what does this do to places like Moosilauke who's main access
is on private land.
-dave-
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White Mts., Trailhead Parking Fees Start May 23
By Paula Tracy
Union Leader Staff
LACONIA (May 17) -- Hikers, mountain bikers and anyone who takes a walk
in the White Mountain National Forest will need a parking pass to leave
their vehicle unattended near trailheads beginning May 23.
The $20 season pass or the $5 pass good for seven consecutive days,
will be available the first part of next week at all ranger stations and
in other selected areas, said Alexis Jackson, spokesman for the Forest
Supervisor.
The fee program is part of a new federal pilot project designed to keep
95 percent of the revenues from individual forests there for improvements.
In the past, any proceeds went to Washington.
Some, including the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire
Forests, fear that the funds will replace services already paid for
through tax dollars.
"It is still up in the air whether we will get new services for this or
whether private funds will be used to fund the same program," said Tammara
Van Ryn, policy director for the Society for the Protection of New
Hampshire Forests.
She said the forest service is "making the best out of a federal
mandate," imposed by Congress last year.
Only this week did they announce the passes would be required, after
debating whether the program should be voluntary.
Two weeks ago, Van Ryn said, the forest service would not even specify
for what purpose the funds from the fee would be dedicated. Now it is
clear that trail maintenance and habitat protection are the priority.
"Our commitment is to keep the White Mountain National Forest open and
to maintain and enhance our trails, trailhead facilities, developed
facilities and wildlife viewing opportunties," said Donna Hepp, supervisor
of the 771,000-acre forest.
State tourism statistics show 7 million people annually visit the White
Mountain National Forest. Those who stop and walk the land are far fewer
but Jackson had no specific numbers.
Currently, all money collected by the federal agency goes straight into
the federal Treasury and in the past few years, the amount returned from
Washington has been dwindling, Jackson said. Forecasts are for that to
continue through the year 2000.
The New Hampshire- and Maine-based forest staff have been cut back 20
percent through attrition and early retirements. Improvement projects
which were once funded are sitting idle, said Jackson.
"It has always been clear since we got the legislation (allowing the
fee pilot program) that this money would be used for improvements that . .
. we haven't been able to accomplish in the past few years. Even this
year, we are looking at not bringing back seasonal staff," noting 80 to
100 people who have relied on the forest service for summer work in the
past will not get it this summer.
The hope is that if more than a half-million dollars is brought in
through pass sales the first year, trail improvements will begin and
planning will be implemented for summer, 1998 seasonal staff and projects
during this coming winter, Jackson said. About 15 percent of the pass
proceeds will be used on administration.
Jackson said the Forest Society is correct that the public used to pay
for the staff and improvements through their tax dollars, but this is a
chance to recoup losses the public is already experiencing.
"We are proud of the job we do, and we think this is a great
opportunity for us to continue," she said.
The first priority, she said, is "to hack away at the backlog of trail
maintenance and improvements. We hope if things are real positive we can
improve trail signage. My personal hope is we will continue to provide
high-quality trail and interpretative information to help people plan for
trips," Jackson said.
The forest received several hundred thousand dollars for startup costs,
which include printing of the passes and signs that will be placed at
hundreds of roadside locations along the White Mountain National Forest.
In the parking lots will be kiosks with information on where the passes
are for sale.
Jackson said people who arrive without their pass should "go for your
hike," and when they come back, they can go to the closest sales facility
to get a pass. She also said it was possible that the "person who comes to
clean the toilet will leave an envelope on people's windows," telling them
about the program and requesting their participation.
People who just come for the day are still expected to participate but
those who picnic and sightseers who stop briefly are not expected to pay
the fee, nor are those who arrive on mountain bikes or by foot.
Enforcement is not the emphasis this year, officials said, noting there
are no plans to bring in tickets, towing or the Denver boot, a device
locked on to a wheel that disables a car.
"Informing recreation users about the new fee project will be the
emphasis this year. We want to make sure recreation users know about the
program and understand the direct benefit that purchasing the pass will
provide toward maintaining the forest," Hepp said.
Passes will begin to be available the first part of next week and
through orders. People can send a check to: WMNF Fee Pilot, 719 N. Main
St., Laconia 03246.
All visitor centers and administrative office front desks of the forest
service plan to sell the "passports." Additional outlets in the
Lincoln/Woodstock area and other locations are being negotiated, Jackson
said.
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