Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 11:00:46 -0800
Reply-To: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Proposed Camping Fee Hikes for Senior in Federal Campgrounds
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Forwarding this message, originally from 'Escapees' because of the great
number of members of these lists that use the Senior Pass in Federal
Campgrounds.
Escapees E-News Release
U.S. Forest Service Announces Proposed Changes to Senior and Disabled
Camping Discounts
12/4/2009
A news release from the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition was forwarded to us
at headquarters by a fellow Escapee. That news release, which publicizes
the U.S. Forest Service’s plans to reduce or eliminate some current
discount
programs, is excerpted below. Needless to say, any change in the senior
and disabled park pass programs has the potential to affect a large number
of
RVers and outdoor enthusiasts.
<Begin excerpted news release
December 2, 2009
For immediate release
Contact: Kitty Benzar 970-259-4616 _wsnofee@gmail.com_
(mailto:wsnofee@gmail.com)
_http://www.WesternSlopeNoFee.org_ (http://www.westernslopenofee.org/)
Forest Service to Eliminate Senior and Disabled Camping Discounts
DURANGO, CO - The U.S. Forest Service has announced it plans to eliminate
the 50% discount at National Forest campgrounds that has traditionally
been available to holders of lifetime Senior and Access (permanent
disability)
passes. The change will apply at campgrounds operated by private
concessioners, which represent 50% of National Forest camping capacity and
82% of
reservable campsites.
Under current policy, concessioners are required to honor Senior and
Access passes forcampground fees under the same terms as if the Forest
Service
operated the facility directly, meaning that a 50% discount must be
offered.
Most highly developed campgrounds are now concessioner-run.
In a notice in the _December 1st Federal Register_
(http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-28744.htm) , the agency outlined a
new policy that would
replace the half-price rule that has been in place since the mid-'60s with
a
10% discount. The policy would also require Senior and Access pass holders
to pay a fee at National Forest day-use sites that are currently covered
in full by their passes.
Day-use sites managed by concessioners will also be affected. Under the
new policy, holders of the annual America the Beautiful Pass would be
entitled to free entry, but Senior and Access lifetime pass holders would
get
only a 10% discount. This changes current policy, which calls for all three
passes to be honored equally at day-use fee sites.
Seniors 62 and older pay a one-time $10 fee for their lifetime pass.
Lifetime passes for the permanently disabled are free. Together, Senior and
Access passes represent more than 78% of all pass sales.
<End excerpted news release>
We strongly suggest that you take a moment to tell the U.S. Forest Service
what you think by clicking on the comment link below, or by sending your
comments viapostal mail. You may also wish to contact your state and
Federal
representatives as well.
Comments must be received in writing by February 1, 2010.
You can send comments electronically by following the instructions at the
Federal eRulemaking portal at _http://www.regulations.gov_
(http://www.regulations.gov/) , or utilize this link:
_
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a60f36_
(
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a60f36
)
Comments also may be submitted by mail:
U.S. Forest Service, Attn: Carolyn Holbrook
Recreation and Heritage Resources Staff
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1125
Washington, DC 20250-1125
Comments sent by postal mail should reference the notice by the following
title:
Proposed Directives for Forest Service Concession Campground Special Use
Permits (Document ID FS-2009-0001-0001)
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