Klamath National Forest

Projects & Plans: Recreation Facility Analysis

• Completion of the Klamath RFA
• Background
• What is RFA?
• Seven Step Process
• Public Participation
• Recreation Niche
• Project Documents
  

Thanks to the suggestions of many individuals and groups, the Klamath Recreation Facility Analysis is now Complete!

Comments received through citizen's emails, phone calls and personal conversations all helped to create a Final Program of Work to guide the Klamath’s Recreation Facilities program for the next 5 years (Final RFA and Program of Work).  During the analysis of the Forest’s 44 most developed recreation sites, key objectives were to meet national recreation site standards within the available budget, perform overdue maintenance, and modify sites for better efficiency, support of the Recreation Niche, visitor satisfaction and community stability.  The 5 year Program of Work will achieve these objectives through dozens of future projects to make recreation site repairs and improvements.  Some projects will also improve pathways for people with physical impairments, increase visitor information, remove crowded campsites, and remove site facilities at three small campgrounds where visitor use is extremely low.  If approved by the California citizen’s Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, modest fee increases will be made to support site maintenance and improvements.  (For more information about proposed fee increases, please click on this link http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/recreation/index.shtml#fees).  

The Final Program of Work will be implemented with foreseeable funding, and will include additional public involvement as specified by the National Environmental Policy Act.  Some of the Forest’s most popular campgrounds – Curly Jack, Carter Group, Indian Scotty, Juanita Lake, Kangaroo Lake, Matthews Creek and Sarah Totten – will see an investment of over $290,000 in the next three years to perform overdue maintenance and make site improvements.

Background

Many of the Klamath's 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 implementing the Recreation Site Facility Master Planning (RFA) process for 44 of its most developed recreation sites (see list of sites). The result of RFA is a program of work with a list of prioritized actions to more effectively manage these recreation sites. This program of work will be consistent with the Route Designation process also underway, and Recreation Enhancement Act implementation.

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What Is RFA?

RFA 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. RFA is driven by four strategic goals:

1. Provide recreation opportunities best suited for the national forest;
2. Operate and maintain recreation sites to meet national quality standards;
3. Eliminate/reduce recreation-site deferred maintenance.
4. Enhance recreation experiences.

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.

For more detailed information about the background and fiscal effects of the Proposed Program of Work, please see the proposal and guidance in our plan.

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Seven Step Process

The RFA process involves seven steps, each bringing the Klamath's developed recreation sites in closer alignment with its unique characteristics, projected demand, visitor expectations and available revenue.

STEP 1: Prepare Site Data (Completed April 2007)
Update and complete recreation site data for the Klamath's 44 most developed sites, to provide information needed to make recreation management decisions for those sites.

Recreation information evaluated for each site included season of use, visitor use levels and capacity, type of recreation activity available, and fees charged, annual operation costs, and maintenance needed.

STEP 2: Develop Recreation Niche for the Forest (Completed July 2007)
Identify the recreation program "Niche", or vision for the Klamath, based on public desires and the unique characteristics of the forest. The Niche will help guide management of the Forest recreation program for the coming decade.

Niche: Room to Renew! (click on this link to see the entire KNF Niche description).  Here is a sample of that description: The Klamath National Forest's 1.7 million acre expanse of winding river canyons, rugged lake-speckled wilderness areas, and distinctive volcanic landscapes could suit your quest for nature adventures and inspirations.

The Forest's recreation Niche emphasizes uncrowded recreation opportunities within ecologically rich natural settings, based on public input and visitor survey information.  Klamath staff evaluated the Forest's recreation market zone, recreation demand and supply, visitor characteristics, recreation activities pursued, length of stay, visitor satisfaction, issues visitors find important, and regional and national recreation trends.  The following recreation activities were found to be most suitable to the Forest's unique characteristics:

• Viewing Natural Features & Wildlife
• Driving for Pleasure
• White Water Rafting, Kayaking & Water Play
• Backpacking and Primitive Camping
• Nature Study
• Hiking and Fishing
• Picnicking & Family Activities
• Snowmobiling, Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
• Relaxing/Escaping Heat & Cities

STEP 3: Identify Operational Efficiencies (Completed August 2007)
Recreation sites are examined to determine if they can be operated more efficiently or reduce site management costs and uncompleted maintenance work. Proposed options to increase operational efficiency are developed for each site.

Options for reducing recreation site costs were evaluated, such as changes in services, water systems, campsites, parking areas, signing, fees, and site enhancements or adjustments to better support the KNF Recreation Niche.

STEP 4: Rank Recreation Sites (Completed August 2007)
Recreation sites are rated through evaluation of their contribution to the Klamath recreation program Niche; their financial and operational efficiency; their effects on environmental sustainability; and their effects on community stability. A proposed ranking of all sites is developed based on the individual site evaluations.

The ranking helped identify which sites best match the Klamath's recreation Niche and annual budget, while reducing necessary recreation site maintenance.

STEP 5: Propose 5-year Program of Work to Stakeholders (Completed May 2008.)
The Proposed 5-year Program of Work for recreation sites was prepared based upon the analysis completed in the previous four steps.

STEP 6: Finalize 5-year Proposed Program of Work (Completed July, 2008)
The 5-year program of work for recreation sites is refined, based upon information from stakeholders.

STEP 7: Implementation (This step scheduled for 2008-2012)
Annually, site-specific projects 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.

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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 RFA process meet visitor needs and offer the best recreation opportunities in places important to people.

The Klamath thanks the many individuals and groups for contributing their thoughts about the KNF, its recreation values, and the recreation services it should provide. This input was very helpful in development of the Klamath Recreation Niche and the Final Program of Work. These documents will guide the Forest's recreation program for the next five years.

If you have specific questions, want to be put on the RFA mailing list for future notification, or wish to more actively participate, please feel free to contact Jerry Mosier at (530) 841-4487.

Project Documents

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