Southwestern Region

Southwestern Region
333 Broadway SE [map]
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 842-3292
TTY: (505) 842-3198

NEWS RELEASES: 2005

ARIZONA NATIONAL FORESTS STOP FEES AT 14 RECREATION SITES

Albuquerque, New Mex—(June 10) Two national forests in Arizona announced that fee collection at 14 recreation sites will be stopped today. Halting fees at these sites results from an analysis required under provisions of the Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (REA). REA authorizes federal land management agencies to charge modest fees at campgrounds, rental cabins and other high-impact recreation areas on federal lands.

“The six national forests in Arizona have reviewed all current recreation fee sites and facilities and compared them to the requirements outlined in REA,” said Regional Forester Harv Forsgren. “Based upon their analysis, the national forests in Arizona have removed 14 sites from the recreation fee program.” The sites removed from the fee program are:

• Snow Flat Group Campground ( Coronado NF)
• Treasure Park Group Campground ( Coronado NF)
• Aspen Vista Observation Site ( Coronado NF)
• Babad Do’ag Observation Site ( Coronado NF)
• Geology Vista Observation Site ( Coronado NF)
• Lizard Rock Developed Dispersed Camping Area ( Coronado NF)
• Molino Canyon Overlook ( Coronado NF)
• San Pedro Vista ( Coronado NF)
• Seven Cataracts Vista ( Coronado NF)
• Thimble Peak Vista ( Coronado NF)
• Windy Point Observation Site ( Coronado NF)
• Groom Creek Trailhead ( Prescott NF)
• Lynx Creek Gold Panning Site ( Prescott NF)
• Mingus Summit/Rest Area ( Prescott NF)

These sites do not meet all the amenity requirements of REA nor will they likely do so in the near future. Amenity requirements for day-use sites include: designated developed parking, permanent toilet facility and trash receptacle, interpretive sign, exhibit or kiosk, picnic tables, and security services.

“These sites may be returned to the fee program at some time in the future if public use results in a need to further develop them and add improvements,” said Forsgren. “This would be done only after we do public involvement as outlined in REA,” he added.

REA also authorizes the Forest Service to charge fees at sites within High Impact Recreation Areas (HIRAs) if the areas are clearly defined and meet certain requirements. HIRAs that will remain in the fee system include: Sabino Canyon, Madera Canyon, and the Catalina Mountains HIRA on the Coronado NF; the Red Rocks Recreation Area on the Coconino NF; and Bartlett Lake, Lower/Middle/Upper Verde River, Seven Springs Recreation Area, Apache Lake, and Roosevelt Lake on the Tonto NF.

During 2005, there are five national forest locations where fee campgrounds or cabins are currently undergoing major improvements, and will be opened or re-opened to the public in the near future. These include: Caldwell Cabin on the Apache-Sitgreaves NF; Mingus Mountain Campground, Alto Pit Off-Highway-Vehicle Area/(camping area), and Indian Creek Campground on the Prescott NF; and Whitetail Campground on the Coronado NF.

Southwestern Regional Director of Recreation Judy Levin said, “We are implementing the REA changes on a consistent basis across the country and I have been working closely with the other regional recreation directors. I’m confident people who use fee sites will continue to accept and pay modest fees as long as they see that the money is well-spent at their favorite sites.”

For more information about the Recreation Fee program and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/recfee/index.shtml in 2005 for implementing provisions of the Act throughout the 2005 recreation season.

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