Rec Fees Increase at National Forests in State

(PRESS RELEASE) — The National Forests in Mississippi wants to inform the public of increases in fees and implementation of new fees at four recreation sites. The increases include the following:

Chickasaw All-Terrain Vehicle Trail System – Tombigbee Ranger District – New fee: $10/day

Rattlesnake Bay All-Terrain Vehicle Trail – De Soto Ranger District – New fee: $10/day

Forest Annual Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Pass – all National Forests in Mississippi – New fee: $60/year

Bethel All-Terrain Vehicle /Motorcycle Trail – De Soto Ranger District from $5 to $10/day

Little Tiger All-Terrain Vehicle /Motorcycle Trail – Chickasawhay Ranger District from $5 to $10/day

The National Forests in Mississippi approved a combination of fee increases and new fees to maintain acceptable standards of the recreation sites mentioned above for safety, utility, and aesthetic appeal. Fees have been at the current level since 2007. The fee increases are both consistent with inflationary costs and are more comparable to similar public and private sites in their respective areas.

All fee change proposals were reviewed by a citizen’s advisory committee, called the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interests ensuring the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable fee changes. Committee members also help ensure that the Forest Service addresses public issues and concerns about recreation fees.

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to keep 95 percent of fees collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain and improve the sites.

For information or comments about any of these fee change proposals, please contact James Lowe, jlowe@fs.fed.us, 601-965-1660.

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