NEW MEXICO NATIONAL FORESTS STOP FEES AT 9 RECREATION
SITES
Albuquerque, New Mex—(June 10) Two National
forests in New Mexico announced that fee collection at nine 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 five national forests in New Mexico 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 New
Mexico have removed 9 sites from the recreation fee
program.” The sites removed from the fee program
are:
- Agua Sarca Trailhead (Cibola NF)
- Canyon Estates Trailhead (Cibola NF)
- Del Agua Trailhead (Cibola NF)
- Piedra Lisa-North Trailhead (Cibola NF)
- Sandia Cave (Cibola NF)
- Strip Mine Trailhead (Cibola NF)
- Tunnel Springs Trailhead (Cibola NF)
- Iron Gate Trailhead (Santa Fe NF)
- Black Canyon Trailhead (Santa Fe 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 charging fees at sites within
High Impact Recreation Areas (HIRAs) if the areas
are clearly defined and meet certain requirements.
Until today, fees had been charged for the entire
Sandia Mountains area. Cibola NF managers have redefined
these areas to meet REA requirements. The only HIRA
in New Mexico is the Sandia Crest National Scenic
Byway corridor and national forest lands within the
Juan Tabo Basin.
There are four fee campgrounds which have been closed
due to construction and rehabilitation projects that
will re-opened in the near future. They include:
Capilla Peak and Quaking Aspen Campgrounds on the
Cibola NF, and Black Canyon and Paliza Campgrounds
on the Santa Fe NF.
Southwestern Regional Director of Recreation Judy
Levin said, “We are implementing the REA changes
on a consistent basis across the country. 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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