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Six Rivers National Forest

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Recreation Facility Analysis

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Background

Many of the Six River's developed recreation sites were built 30-50 years ago. 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 implementing the Recreation Facility Analysis process for developed recreation sites. The result of Recreation Facility Analysis is a program of work with a list of prioritized actions to more effectively manage these recreation sites.

What is Recreation Facility Analysis?

Recreation Facility Analysis is an analysis tool developed nationally to help forests align their developed recreation sites with the unique characteristics of the forest, projected recreation demand, visitor expectations, and revenue. National forests across the country are undertaking this process. Recreation Facility Analysis is driven by three strategic goals:

Provide recreation opportunities best suited for the national forest;
Operate and maintain recreation sites to meet national quality standards;
Eliminate/reduce recreation site deferred maintenance.

A seven-step process is used to evaluate and prioritize sites for action. The results are contained in a proposed 5-year program of work. Public feedback is sought to ensure that these actions are sound and responsive to visitor needs. Annually, phases of the program of work are implemented; additional public participation is conducted at that time.

Seven Step Process

The Recreation Facility Analysis process involves seven steps, each bringing the forest's developed recreation sites in closer alignment with the forest's unique characteristics, projected recreation demand, visitor expectations and revenue.

STEP 1: Prepare Site Inventory & Financial Data
Inventory of recreation sites is updated, along with estimates of the costs for operation and maintenance and deferred maintenance for each recreation site. Forty eight developed sites (Recreation Site List) will be evaluated on the Six Rivers National Forest.

STEP 2: Identify Unit Recreation Program Niche
Recreation-visitor use and market data are examined to determine the focus of the forest's recreation program. Participants develop map that displays the forest's recreation settings and summary paragraph that characterizes the forest's unique recreation program "niche."

STEP 3: Identify Operational Efficiencies
Recreation sites are examined to determine if efficiencies can be undertaken to further reduce site expenditures or eliminate deferred maintenance. Participants determine a proposed set of management options for each site to reduce costs.

STEP 4: Rank Recreation Sites
Recreation sites are rated through the use of a series of questions involving the sites' conformance with the forest recreation program niche; their financial and operational efficiency; their effects on environmental sustainability; and their effects on community stability.

STEP 5: Propose 5-year Program of Work to Stakeholders
The proposed 5-year program of work for recreation sites is prepared based upon the analysis completed in the previous four steps. Broader discussions with stakeholders are sought to explore alternative ways of operating sites or building new partnerships.

STEP 6: Finalize 5-year Proposed Program of Work
The 5-year program of work for recreation sites is refined, based upon the broader discussions with stakeholders.

STEP 7: Implementation
Annually, site-specific steps are proposed to implement the 5-year program of work for recreation sites. Prior to implementation, National Environmental Policy Act and other agency coordination requirements are completed.

Public Participation

We recognize the importance of these sites and welcome your comments and suggestions during this process. Your participation is important to ensure that the results of the Recreation Facility Analysis process meet visitor needs and offer the best recreation opportunities in places important to people.

Current Status

The Six Rivers National Forest recently completed the analysis for a proposed five year program of work for the 63 developed recreation sites on the Forest. Our proposed five year program of work is recommending improving some facilities as well as decommissioning one fishing site. We are also recommending increasing fees at some of sites and adding fees to others. This would be the first increase in fees for campgrounds since 1999. The additional funds collected at each site would help pay for repair, maintenance, and enhancement of the recreation facilities and other activities such as interpretive programs, recreation site restoration, law enforcement, and facility improvements. Any proposed new fees or fee increases need to be approved by a state-wide citizen based Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. Further public involvement would occur before any recommendations for fee increases are forwarded to the Recreation Resource Advisory Committee.

Please review the Draft Program of Work (pdf 103 KB) which is a list of possible actions for developed recreation sites. Comments that are received before June 15, 2008 will be most helpful. They may be mailed to: Six Rivers National Forest, Recreation Facility Analysis, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501.

For further information please contact Jean Hawthorne, Recreation/Engineering Staff Officer, at (707) 441-3543.

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