PEDRO — The Wayne National Forest is seeking submissions from interested parties to provide high-quality public service in the operation and maintenance of government-owned facilities and concessionaire opportunities within the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area. 

“This request for expressed interest is to determine if anyone or any company would like to provide services at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area,” said a spokesperson for the WNF. “This could range from operating campgrounds, operating existing structures or some other type of business activity (outfitting and guiding, etc.). This will also help us determine if there is a competitive interest in running the Kayak rental.”

Respondents are encouraged to submit concepts and ideas to see what visions there are for the area and how that vision could be achieved.

This solicitation for concepts is called a Request for Expressed Interest (RFEI) and is not a formal offering for the award of a special use permit or for participation in future solicitations. 

There is currently one concession special use permit active for operating a boat dock and storefront within this area that expires Dec. 31, 2025. 

There are no other permits or leases authorizing uses within this area. 

This RFEI will be used to determine: 

• Whether sufficient competitive interest exists for the current services being offered at the site; and/or 

• Invite submissions for concepts that would re-imagine the recreational use of the site. 

If deemed necessary through this RFEI, the Forest will likely pursue a prospectus and advertise next fall and/or explore lease opportunities. 

The RFEI is available electronically on the Forest website: 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wayne/?cid=FSEPRD1160027. 

Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area will be available for a site visit at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

If you are unable to visit the site, please refer to the maps and photos of facilities included in the RFEI. Please send an RSVP by Jan. 30 to caleb.butcher@usda.gov if you would like to attend and more information will be provided. 

Interested respondents may submit questions regarding this RFEI by email to Caleb Butcher at the address listed above. Questions can be submitted until close of business on Friday, March 1. 

All questions and answers will be posted publicly on the Wayne National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wayne/?cid=FSEPRD1160027.