Stanislaus National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service
Stanislaus National Forest

Forest Seeks Comments on Recreation Facilities Analysis

Sonora, CA (September 14, 2007) ... The Forest Service today announced that Stanislaus National Forest (NF) recreation specialists are seeking public comment by October 8, 2007 on the Forest’s Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA). The analysis is a Forest-wide planning effort focused on operation and maintenance of the Stanislaus NF’s 89 developed recreation sites, including campgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, day use areas, major trailheads, and overlooks. The RFA is available for public review on-line, and at the Forest Supervisors’ Office.

Many of the Stanislaus NF 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 conducting the Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) 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.

The RFA is being conducted as a seven-step planning effort aimed at providing a higher quality, more efficiently managed, developed recreation program where facilities support the Forest’s recreation niche (special places, opportunities and possible experiences, overlapped with what people desire in terms of outdoor recreation). The goal of the analysis is to prepare a five year program of work to manage the Forest’s recreation facilities. Step five of this planning effort is completed, and the proposed program of work preliminary results are ready for public review.

“I look forward to working with interested people to ensure that our developed recreation sites are efficiently operated, take into consideration visitors’ desires, and reflect the Forest’s special characteristics,” said Forest Supervisor Tom Quinn. “One of the positive things about this process is that it looks into the future to determine the kinds of recreation sites that will best fit the national forest and visitors’ expectations. Each of the 89 developed recreation sites will be evaluated using the best available data, and information from the public.”

Recreation specialists are seeking input from interested visitors and stakeholders by October 8, 2007 on the preliminary proposed program of work and possible management options for the Forest’s recreation facilities. Following a careful review of the public’s comments and ideas, the Forest RFA and five year program of work is expected to be finalized by October 15, 2007. After the plan is finalized, phases of the program of work will be implemented annually, with additional opportunities for public participation and involvement at that time.

The Stanislaus NF will review the RFA five-year program of work every year to monitor how well it is being implemented and whether modifications are required.

The RFA program of work will be adapted as needed in the future. The RFA will help the Forest efficiently use available resources to provide the best quality recreation opportunities possible with limited resources. The RFA positions the Forest to better respond to changing recreation demands with facilities and programs in the future.

For more information and to view the Stanislaus NF RFA please check on the Forest website or contact Brian Kermeen at (209) 532-3671 ext. 316. Copies of the RFA are also available at the Stanislaus NF Forest Supervisors’ Office, located at 19777 Greenley Road in Sonora. Comments may be submitted on-line at: comments-pacificsouthwest-stanislaus@fs.fed.us or mailed directly to Stanislaus National Forest, 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370 attn: Brian Kermeen.