News Release
USDA Forest Service
Washington, D.C.
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FS-0202 |
Contact: Heidi Valetkevitch,
202-205-1134 |
FOREST SERVICE TO WAIVE FEES
OVER VETERANS DAY WEEKEND
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2001 -- U.S. Department of
Agricultures Forest Service will join U.S. Department of the
Interiors National Park Service and other federal agencies
in waiving its entrance fees during Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 10-12,
in an effort to help Americans find comfort and solace after the
tragic events of Sept. 11.
National forests and grasslands can offer calm and peaceful
experiences and spiritual renewal, said Forest Service Chief
Dale Bosworth. We encourage the public to reconnect with the
natural world and to visit their national forests and grasslands
in celebration of this great land.
While there are usually no costs to visit national forests and
grasslands, the Forest Service does charge fees through the recreation
fee demonstration program. Established in 1996 by Congress, the
fee demo program gave the Forest Service and other federal
agencies temporary authority to charge fees for some kinds of recreation
use. All fees go directly to improving the land from which they
were collected.
In addition to entrance fees, most recreation day-use fees also
will be waived during Veterans Day weekend. Some fees, such as for
overnight camping, recreation permits, reservation services and
concession operations, will remain in effect.
The Forest Service manages 155 national forests and 20 grasslands,
covering 192 million acres in 44 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands. It includes 399 wilderness areas, 4,385 miles of wild and
scenic rivers, about 8,000 miles of scenic byways, 133,087 miles
of hiking, horse and off-highway vehicle trails, more than 18,000
campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor facilities, and extensive
hunting and fishing opportunities.
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