Public is Invited to Provide Input
Jackson, Wyo., July 11, 2023— The Bridger-Teton National Forest is proposing a new fee program in the Snake River Canyon and to charge new and increased fees at sites on the Greys River District.
Most river access points, day-use sites, overnight camping sites, and other recreation sites on the national forest are managed without user fees currently on the forest.
The Greys River District is proposing price increases at ten sites and new fees at two additional sites. “We recognize the importance of these sites to our local communities and other users. The proposed increases would help us maintain the sites and programs to a level of quality people desire and make fees more consistent across the area”, said Justin Laycock, District Ranger for the Greys River Ranger District on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Since 1987 when current boat ramp facilities were built on the Snake River, use in the canyon has increased significantly. The forest is proposing a special use recreation fee to fund much needed resources. Public meetings will be held at Jackson and Alpine to garner feedback from river users. Exact location, dates, and time will be announced closer to the public meetings.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites. Up to 95% of the revenue from recreation fees remains on the forests to operate, maintain, and improve facilities and services. Raising the revenue collected through recreation fees would help the forests improve infrastructure at campsites and day-use sites and hire additional recreation staff during the season of operation.
Any fee changes must be proposed and approved by a citizen’s advisory committee. Wyoming uses a Recreation Action Team (REACT) which is a group that represents a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.
The proposed fees by site are listed below (*) denotes a new fee.
Jackson Ranger District
*Snake River Canyon (Hoback to Alpine), 23.1 mile corridor, Currently $0/season, $0/day, Proposed $40/season, $3/day
Greys River Ranger District
Cazier Guard Station, Currently $40/night, group size 8, Proposed $80/night group size 8
Cottonwood Lake Campground, Currently $10/night, Proposed $20/night
Cottonwood Lake Group Camp, Currently $35/night, group size 25, Proposed $45/night, groups size 25
Cottonwood Lake Picnic Area, Currently $25/day, group size 25, Proposed $35/day, group size 25
Deer Creek Guard Station, Currently $40/night, group size 6, Proposed $80/night, group size 6
Forest Park Campground, Currently $10/night, Proposed $20/night
*Lynx Creek Group Camp, Currently $0/night, Proposed $100/night group size 40
Mccain Guard Station, Currently $30/night group size 6, Proposed $80/night group size 6
Meadows Guard Station, Currently $40/night group size 6, Proposed $80/night group size 6
Moose Flat Campground, Currently $10/night, Proposed $20/night
Murphy Creek Campground, Currently $7/night, Proposed $20/night
*Swift Creek Campground, Currently $0/night, Proposed $20/night
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program. The comment period is set to end by close of business on September 1, 2023. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to Bridger-Teton National Forest, Attention: Fee Proposal Comments, 340 N. Cache, P.O. Box 1888, Jackson, WY 83001 or SM.FS.BTNFFeeProp@usda.gov.
Comments can also be provided online at: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/
Additionally comment cards are available at the Jackson and Greys River Ranger District Offices during normal business hours.
For more information on the proposed project, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
Once public involvement is complete, the proposed fee changes will be reviewed by the Recreation Action Team (REACT), who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.
