The following is a news release from U.S. Forest Service.
Comment Period Continues for Local Forest Fee Program Proposal
Salt Lake City, Utah, August 29,2016 – The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest will continue to accept comments until September 9 on a proposal to include ten day-use sites as standard amenity fee sites under the authority of the Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act. The sites are all located in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
The proposal includes Mill B South trailhead, Cardiff/Mill D South trailhead, Donut Falls trailhead, Silver Lake recreation complex, Spruces winter trailhead, Guardsman Pass trailhead, Temple Quarry trailhead and interpretive site, White Pine trailhead, Catherine’s Pass trailhead, and Cecret Lake trailhead.
The Forest Service is proposing a site fee of $6 for a 3-day pass and $45 for a Cottonwood Canyons annual pass. The “America the Beautiful” Interagency Passes would be honored at each site. Passes sold would be valid for all sites listed above. Cottonwood Canyon passes would be also be valid at the American Fork Canyon and Mirror Lake Scenic Byway standard-amenity fee sites. The American Fork Canyon and Mirror Lake Scenic Byway day and annual passes would be honored at the proposed sites in the Cottonwood Canyons.
Fees collected at the proposed sites would be used to improve recreation site facilities, maintenance, and operations in the Cottonwood Canyons. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operations and maintenance, and market assessment.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act authorizes the Forest Service to charge a Standard-Amenity Fee in an area that provides significant opportunities for outdoor recreation; that has substantial federal investments; where fees can be efficiently collected; and that contains all of the following amenities: designated parking; permanent restroom facility, permanent trash receptacle, interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk, picnic tables, and security services.
No fees are being proposed for Butler Fork, Mineral Fork, Mill A, and Silver Fork trailheads in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
New fees, if the proposal is approved, would begin June 2017. Comments should be directed to: Salt Lake Ranger District, 801-733-2660, or malane@fs.fed.us
