Prices could go down for horse, ATV trail users

NELSONVILLE – People may see a change in fees at Wayne National Forest.

For horse riders and mountain bikers, there could be a reduction. For campers in the might have to pay a couple bucks more for electric.

The goals are to enhance the campgrounds and bring more riders back to the WNF trails.

The Wayne National Forest is asking for the public’s input on a proposal that would change recreation fees

Currently, off-highway vehicle, horse and mountain bike users pay $45 for a seasonal permit, $24 for a three-day permit and $12 for a daily permit.

If the proposal is passed, next year, seasonal permits would be reduced to $35 and the three-day permit to $20, while the daily permit would be eliminated. These new fees would apply to motorized trail users only. Horse and mountain bike users would be exempt from purchasing a trail permit.

Forest Supervisor Tony Scardina said that the motorized trails in the WNF have gone down by 50 percent in the last eight years.

“By reducing the fee, we hope to see an increase in usage,” Scardina said. “By eliminating fees for horse and mountain bike users, the forest will be aligned with other trail providers in the area.”

The proposal would also help standardize camping fees for higher developed campgrounds across WNF. Base camping fees would be adjusted to $15, plus $5 for campsites with electrical hook-ups.

At Lake Vesuvius, the Iron Ridge Campground would increase from $18 to $20 for sites with electrical hookups. Other WNF campgrounds would also go up a dollar or two. When water is not available, fees will remain at $10.

Revenue generated from the new fee would be used to make improvements, such as upgrading picnic tables, grills, fire rings,and restrooms.

The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes. The comment period is set to end by close of business on Friday, July 28. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date. Comments can be emailed to comments-eastern-wayne@fs.fed.us with the subject line “Fee Change”. Emailed comments must be submitted in a format such as within the body of the message, plain text (.txt), Word (.doc), portable document format (.pdf), or any software  format supported by Microsoft applications.

Written comments can be mailed to Wayne National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 13700 US Hwy 33, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764 or sent by fax to 740-753-0119, Attn: Chad Wilberger.

Oral comments must be provided in person at the supervisor’s office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., or by calling 740-753-0101.

For more information on the proposed project, visit their website at www.fs.usda.gov/wayne.

Once public involvement is complete, the new fees will be reviewed by a Regional Recreation Advisory Committee, who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.

The 244,000 acre Wayne National Forest offers a variety of recreation opportunities, including trail riding, hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, nature viewing, canoeing, and much more.