NEVADA CITY, CALIF. (July 14, 2023) — Tahoe National Forest is proposing the change of recreation fees at some developed recreation sites across the forest including select fire lookouts and day use sites. A fee increase proposal is just one step the Tahoe National Forest takes to provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities sustainably. The proposed fees for fire lookouts will assist in providing the maintenance required to preserve these historic buildings while also maintaining safety standards for public access. Members of the public are invited to provide comment on proposed fee changes through Sept. 15, 2023.
“We recognize how important these recreation areas are to our local communities and those who use the sites,” said Tahoe National Forest Recreation Program Manager Mary Sullivan. “Fee changes allow us to continue to provide top-tier recreation opportunities here on the Tahoe National Forest and even develop new opportunities as our recreation community evolves. Accessibility to the outdoors continues to be a top priority and we are proud to continue to offer several free recreation areas across the forest.”
The proposed fees by site and Ranger District are listed in the below.
American River Ranger District
French Meadows
Boat Ramp - Expanded
$5 Per Day
*No season pass option currently available
$5 Per Day
*$40 Per Season/Year
Manzanita
Picnic Site
$5 Per Day
*No season pass option currently available
$5 Per Day
*$40 Per Season/Year
McGuire
Boat Ramp - Expanded
$5 Per Day
*No season pass option currently available
$5 Per Day
*$40 Per Season/Year
Sugar Pine
Boat Ramp - Expanded
$5 Per Day
*No season pass option currently availabl
$5 Per Day
*$40 Per Season/Year
* The forest is proposing an annual pass at four-day use sites on the American River Ranger District. This local forest pass would be valid at all four sites that currently charge a $5/vehicle/day fee. The full suite of national recreation passes will continue to be honored.
Sierraville Ranger District
Calpine
Cabin or Lookout
$45 Per Night
Group Size: 4
$75 Per Night
Group Size: 4
Sardine Peak Lookout
Cabin or Lookout
$0 Per Night
Group Size: 4
$75 Per Night
Group Size: 4
Yuba River Ranger District
Grouse Ridge
Cabin or Lookout
Not currently available to rent.
$75 Per Night
Group Size: 4
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain and improve these sites. At least 80% of the revenue from recreation fees remains on the forests to operate, maintain and improve facilities. The resource derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financial sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.
To ensure they are considered, the public is asked to send comments to Tahoe National Forest no later than 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. Comments can be provided through the following:
- By mail: Attention: Mary Sullivan, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, California 95959
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (530) 478-6298
- Online: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=f6a8f81baf2843c8bd96c8035d8cc3bc
- In-person: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, California 95959
These fee changes will be reviewed by a recreation advisory committee. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.
For more information on the proposed project, visit the Tahoe National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe.
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