Forest Service fee hikes proposed at 22 Nevada recreation areas; Christmas tree permit increase also on table

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is seeking public comments on fee changes at certain recreation sites across four of the Forest’s ranger districts and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

These fee changes will assist the Forest in closing that gap and continue to maintain sites to the level visitors have come to expect, as well as expand current opportunities.

“We recognize how important these sites are to our local communities and those who travel great distances to use them,” said Forest Supervisor Jon Stansfield. “I really encourage the public to get involved in this process as public input is a critical part of the fee establishment process and a great opportunity to help shape the future of public lands.”

The Forest continues to see increased recreational use, and associated demands for amenities and opportunities. These demands are impacting the resource, visitor experience, and the forest’s capacity to manage a quality recreation program. These new and increases fees will align the price of sites with the facilities provided, and continue to improve services and site amenities, especially at a time when the Forest is experiencing increases in recreation and operating costs. Approximately 70 percent of the developed recreation sites do not charge a fee.

There are 22 campgrounds, three day use areas, and two visitor center site rentals that are a part of the recreation fee proposal. The proposal also includes 14 new fee sites and 13 fee changes at campgrounds and day use areas. The developed sites that are included in this fee proposal are as follows:

— Carson Ranger District: Lookout Campground

— Austin-Tonopah RD: Barley Creek, Big Creek, Bob Scott, Columbine, Kingston, Peavine Creek, Pine Creek, San Juan, and Toquima Cave Campgrounds

— Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District: Big Bend, Jack Creek, Pine Creek, Sawmill, Slide Creek, and Wildhorse Crossings Campgrounds.

— Santa Rosa RD: Lye Creek Campground

— Spring Mountains NRA: Cathedral Rock Picnic, Foxtail Group Picnic, and Old Mill Picnic areas; Fletcher View, Hilltop, Kyle Canyon, Mahogany Grove Group, and McWilliams campgrounds; and the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway’s Mt. Charleston Amphitheater and education building.

For more information on the recreation fee proposal and a complete list of recommended fees changes by site, go here.

Under the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the USDA Forest Service is allowed to retain at least eighty percent of recreation fees collected to use those funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve fee sites. Raising the revenue collected through recreation fees help the Forest improve infrastructure at campgrounds and day use areas, reduce the backlog in deferred maintenance, and hire additional recreation staff during the season of operation.

“The resources derived through collection of fees create a more financial sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.” Stansfield added.

The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee increase by close of business on Monday, July 1, 2024. Comments should be sent to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Attn: Recreation Fees, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431 or via e-mail to SM.FS.HTRecFees@usda.gov. Please put “Humboldt-Toiyabe Recreation Fee Proposal” in the subject line.

Comments can also be submitted by using the interactive web map here.

For more information on this proposal, please contact Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Recreation, Heritage, & Wilderness Staff Officer Randy Kyes at randy.kyes@usda.gov.

Once the public comment period ends, all comments will be reviewed by the Forest Service. Those comments found to be substantive will be evaluated further and considered in this proposal.

The final proposed fee change will then be presented to a citizen’s resource advisory committees that represent a broad array of interests. Their recommendation will be submitted to the USDA Forest Service Intermountain Regional Forester for a final decision.

For additional information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit https://fs.usda.gov/htnf or participate in the conversation at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe and https://facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/.

Meanwhile, The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is seeking public comments on a proposal to increase cost of Christmas tree cutting permits on the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts. This increase would help fund the planning and operations that are needed to administer the Christmas tree program including staffing, public engagement, coordination with local vendors, and enforcement.

“We recognize how important this unique family tradition of cutting a Christmas tree on National Forest System land,” said Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger. “I really encourage the public to get involved in this process as public input is a critical part of the fee establishment process and a great opportunity to help shape the future of public lands.”

The districts are proposing to increase Christmas tree cutting permits from $10 to $20 per tree. The proposed fee price is based on a market analysis of similar opportunities within the Sierra Front region. The current fee has never been increased since the inception of the program.

The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee increase by close of business on Monday, July 1, 2024. Comments should be sent to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Attn: Recreation Fees, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431 or via e-mail to SM.FS.HTRecFees@usda.gov. Please put “Humboldt-Toiyabe Recreation Fee Proposal” in the subject line.

Comments can also be submitted by using the interactive web map here.

For more information on this proposal, please contact Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Recreation & Wilderness Program Manager Randy Kyes at randy.kyes@usda.gov.

Once the public comment period ends, all comments will be reviewed by the Forest Service. Those comments found to be substantive will be evaluated further and considered in this proposal.

The final proposed fee change will then be presented to a citizen’s resource advisory committees that represent a broad array of interests. Their recommendation will be submitted to the USDA Forest Service Intermountain Regional Forester for a final decision.