{"id":4694,"date":"2023-07-28T05:13:41","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T10:13:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sabacycling.com\/bicycling\/?p=4694"},"modified":"2023-07-28T05:15:12","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T10:15:12","slug":"comment-period-ending-jackrabbit-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sabacycling.com\/bicycling\/news\/comment-period-ending-jackrabbit-trail","title":{"rendered":"Comment Period Ending for Proposed\u00a0Day use fees at Jackrabbit Trail System"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Act now if you have not already!<\/h2>

The US Forest Service is proposing the implementation of day use fees within the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests specifically targeting mountain trail systems and mountain bikers.\u00a0 These are trails that are built and maintained by cycling organization members like you.<\/p>

The trails ARE NOT exclusively for mountain bikers. The trails that are referenced in the USFS bulletin below are used by hikers as well as mountain bikers, often with hikers outnumbering mountain bikers. \u00a0Yet, the USFS is proposing that ONLY mountain bikers will be required to pay a day use fee.<\/p>

We ask that you:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

  1. Read the USFS bulletin below that lays out the proposed day-use fees.<\/li>
  2. Use the link at the bottom of the bulletin to provide your feedback to the USFS.<\/li>
  3. If you do not know what to say, please copy and pasted our proposed response as follows:<\/li><\/ol><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    “I am responding to the USFS Proposed Day-use Fee at the Jackrabbit Mountain Trail System.<\/em><\/p>

    It has been stated that the fees collected are for enhancements of the trails and will have 95% of fees directed back to the trail(s) where they are collected.
    – What enhancement plans do the USFS have for the Jackrabbit Trail System over the next 5 years that can be shared with the public?
    – Will the USFS readily make available to the public, data on the fees collected at the Jackrabbit Trail System on a regular basis such as quarterly or at a minimum annually?
    – Will the USFS readily make available to the public, data on expenditures on the Jackrabbit Trail System including to whom expenses were paid?<\/p>

    The USFS is suggesting that it MUST use the Specialized Recreation Permit fee targeting mountain bikers.\u00a0 The USFS has installed permanent facilities such as a picnic tables, cooking grills, a vault toilet and a parking lot that are able to be used by anyone. In review of the Recreation Enhancements Act, these permanent facilities would qualify the application of the Standard Use Fee that can be applied to ALL users of the facilities.\u00a0<\/p>

    It was the mountain bike community organized under the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association in partnership with the Clay County Citizens Revitalization Authority that raised funds through grants and donations, oversaw the work and contributed untold hours of volunteer labor to build and maintain the Jackrabbit Trail System.\u00a0 A conservative estimate of $1,000,014.00 has been invested by these organizations in Jackrabbit Trail System.<\/p>

    The estimated usage of the trail system is 70% non-biker and 30% biker.\u00a0 By only applying a fee to mountain bikers a considerable amount of revenue is being lost.<\/p>

    I urge the USFS to re-evaluate the current fee proposal for ways to apply the day-use fee equally to ALL users of the Jackrabbit Trail System.”<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Don\u2019t Delay, Act Now!…Your Input Matters!<\/strong><\/h2>

    Thanks for your support.\u00a0See you on the trails!<\/p>

    Rod Fortney\u00a0<\/em>
    President\u00a0
    Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association\u00a0<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    USFS Bulletin<\/h2><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    www.fs.usda.gov\/nfsnc<\/a>
    Fa<\/a>cebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Twitter<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    \u00a0<\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    U.S. Forest Service proposes recreation fee changes on Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    ASHEVILLE, NC,\u00a0<\/strong>June 23, 2023<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change fees at two recreation areas on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests and the public is invited to provide input to proposed fee changes for 60 days beginning on June 23rd<\/sup>, 2023 and ending on August 22nd<\/sup>, 2023. The goal of these changes is to improve visitor experiences through site and trail upgrades paid for by the collected fees.\u00a0<\/div>
    \u00a0<\/div>
    These fee changes are only proposed. After public comment is received, the Forest will assess the comments and concerns and then present the fee proposals to the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) at a future date.<\/div>
    \u00a0<\/div>
    \u201cAccess to our unique and challenging trails is something many of us strongly value. The high level of use these trails receive make increased maintenance and enhancements imperative for responsible trail management. While none of us would prefer to have a fee associated with mountain bike and equestrian use of these trails, these funds would greatly expand our capacity and ability to improve and maintain these important trails,\u201d said Dave Casey, District Ranger of the Pisgah Ranger District.<\/div>
    \u00a0<\/div>
    The proposed fee changes the Forest Service seeks comment on includes:<\/div>