Background | Current Status | What is Next | Public Participation | Project Documents

Background

Many of the Bighorn’s developed recreation sites were built 30-50 years ago. Since then, visitor preferences and demographics have changed. Some sites no longer serve projected recreation demand; some facilities are in poor shape and do not meet visitors’ expectations. To respond to these conditions and national direction, the forest is working on the Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA), a Seven Step Process, for developed recreation sites. The result of RFA is a program of work with a list of prioritized actions to more effectively manage these recreation sites.

Current Status

The Forest’s inventory records of recreation sites, along with estimates of the costs for operation and maintenance for each recreation site have been updated.

Recreation-visitor use, market data, and other public input have been examined to determine the focus of the Forest’s recreation program. The result is a map of the forest’s recreation settings and a summary paragraph about recreation on the Forest describing what is unique or special.

The Forest recreation staff examined all of the developed sites included in the RFA process (see developed recreation site list) and identified strategies to maintain recreation opportunities while reducing site expenditures and deferred maintenance. The developed recreation sites were then rated through the use of a series of questions involving the site’s conformance with the forest recreation program niche (see About the Bighorn); their financial and operational efficiency; their effects on environmental sustainability; and their effects on community stability.

What is Next?

You, our Stakeholders, review a proposed 5-Year Program of Work

A summary of the draft Proposed Program of Work (PPOW) is available on the web. If you wish to view a hard copy of the full version of the draft Proposed Program of Work (PPOW) you may request one be mailed. We would like to hear from you regarding the results of the Bighorn National Forest Recreation Facility Analysis process and the Proposed Program of Work. Comments will be taken until March 15, 2008. Contact information is in the right sidebar.

Public Participation

We recognize the importance of these sites and welcome your comments and suggestions during this process.

OPEN HOUSES

If you have specific questions, want to be put on the RFA mailing list for future notification, or wish to more actively participate, please feel free to contact Ruth Beckwith, Project Coordinator or Dave McKee. Contact information is in the right sidebar.

Project Documents

Note: Adobe Reader 5.0 or above is required to read the PDF documents. It is available as a free download from www.adobe.com.

Send Comments to:

Ruth Beckwith, Project Coordinator

By Mail:

Bighorn National Forest
Attn: RFA
2013 Eastside 2nd Street
Sheridan, WY 82801

By Phone:

(307) 674-2600

By Email:

bighorn_rsfmp@fs.fed.us

Comments will be taken until March 15, 2008

Many locations and recreation facilities on National Forest lands are free to use. There are also some places or some activities where a fee is charged. As a user of the National Forest, you may not see the difference between the types of recreation fees being collected; however, there is often a big difference in how the money is used.

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