Inyo National Forest

Projects & Plans - Recreation Fee Program

Recreation Fee legislation gives several federal agencies the authority to charge recreation fees with ninety-five percent (95%) of money collected kept at the site where it is collected. Eighty percent (80%) of the money collected may be used for operation, maintenance and enhancement projects and the remaining fifteen percent (15%) on administrative costs to related to program management.

Click on the following link to view the Recreation Fee Program News Release dated June 17, 2005.

The Inyo National Forest utilizes the Recreation Fee Program in five areas:

INYO NATIONAL FOREST WILDERNESS PERMIT RESERVATION SYSTEM

This system has been in place since March of 2000. It provides wilderness reservations and wilderness permits and allows the Forest to track and manage wilderness quotas and use data. Reservations can be made by mail, fax or telephone and cost a small fee. Walk-in permits are free and are available at Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers. Wilderness reservation fees are presently being used to provide the planning and design for the replacement of toilet facilities at Outpost and Trail Camps on the Mt. Whitney Trail, as well as staff the Wilderness Permit Reservation Office, increase ranger presence throughout the Forest, publish specific wilderness information, and install bear-proof lockers at wilderness trailheads.

MONO BASIN NATIONAL FOREST SCENIC AREA and the ANCIENT BRISTLECONE PINE FOREST

Fees are charged to access the South Tufa area on Mono Lake and the Schulman Grove Interpretive Site. This funding has allowed for increased daily presence of Forest Service staff in the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, enabling the Forest to provide increased visitor services, as well as provide needed resource protection. The fees are also used to provide longer operating hours at the Visitor Centers, as well as additional interpretive programs.

HORSESHOE MEADOWS EQUESTRIAN CAMP

Fees collected at the Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian Camp, Golden Trout & Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campgrounds are retained on-site for operation and maintenance of these campgrounds and improvements such as providing bear-proof lockers for proper food storage.

REDS MEADOW SHUTTLE BUS

The Reds Meadow and Agnew Meadows Transportation Fee and Mandatory Shuttle Bus program was instituted in 2002. All visitors accessing recreational opportunities and activities in the Reds Meadow Valley will pay a per-person transportation fee. Use of the mandatory shuttle bus is free with your Reds Meadow Transportation Pass. Fees are collected during the entire open season.

California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/passes/rrac/

STAKEHOLDER'S REPORTS

	2006 Accomplishments
	INYO Congressional Report 2005 Fee Demo Project Summary (.pdf, 385 kb)
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US Forest Service - Inyo National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 02 April 2008 at 11:25:59 EDT