Forset Service to Drop Most Fees

The US Forest Service has decided to return free access to most national forest lands. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Forest Service plans to eliminate the fees for three fourths of the forest areas where they are now imposed.

The fees have been controversial ever since they were adopted in a demonstration program in 1996. Liberals said they kept poor families from public lands and Conservatives said the charges amounted to double taxation.

A recent Federal Appeals Court decision may force the Forest Service to cut the fee program even more. The judges ruled that parking fees in Arizona’s Coronado National Forest were improper. They sent the case back to a lower court for further consideration.

The Forest Service does plan to continue charging for the use of certain busy sites that are equipped with amenities such as toilets, trash cans and picnic tables.

'Fee-Free Day' on National Forests

In addition to free fishing in Arizona, Saturday is also the first of three “fee-free” days at the National Forests. Day use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites tomorrow and again on National Public Lands Day, September 25, and on Veterans’ Day, November 11.

GCC Offers 'More Kids in the Woods' Camps

Gila Community College is offering “More Kids in the Woods” science camps to local students this summer. The goal of the camps is to connect kids to the forest and the natural world so they can learn and teach others about good stewardship, land ethics and forest health. The program is a partnership with the US Forest Service, NRCS, U of A Cooperative Extension, and EAC Gear-Up.

There will be four camps split by grade level, ncluding kindergarten through 2nd grade; 3rd through 6th grade; 7th through 9th grade; and 10th through 12th grade.

Application forms are available at the Gila Pueblo Campus administration office. For information call Dean Patricia Burke at 425-8481.

Fireworks Banned in National Forests

Federal officials say visitors to national parks during the holiday season are prohibited from using fireworks, even though a new Arizona law allows sparklers and other fireworks.

Fireworks are prohibited year-round at all national forests. A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail or a maximum fine of up to $5000 or both.

Forest Service Hosts Fall Colors Hotline

USDA Forest Service officials have set up a Fall Colors 2010 Hotline. The toll free number provides the latest information about fall foliage color changes on Forest Service lands.

Each fall thousands of people take trips each fall on national forests to see the spectacular show of colors.

The Fall Colors 2010 Web site has links to individual forest fall colors sites and it has suggestions on how to get kids excited about the season. The site also includes Frequently Asked Questions about why leaves change colors and what happens after the leaves fall.

The peak season for viewing usually begins in late September and continues through early November.

The Fall Colors Hotline number is 1-800-354-4595.

Court Strikes Down Forest Fees

The US Forest Service has lost an important court case on public land fees. The case involves a Sedona backpacker who questioned whether hikers, horse riders and others must buy a pass to visit much of the unimproved 160,000 acre forest surrounding Sedona.

The Arizona Daily Sun reports that the case is important because it calls into question the legality of charging someone a fee to use a wilderness area or unimproved trailhead in more than 90 other Forest Service areas nationwide. It also opens the door for others to ask that some pass citations be dismissed.

The Judge’s ruling says that the Forest Service can legally require passes and collect fees in areas with improvements—like restrooms, picnic tables, parking spots or trash collection—but it can’t require someone to have a pass just to visit an unimproved trailhead or a wilderness.