The Santa Fe National Forest is soliciting public contributions on a proposal to increase visitor fees to help fund the maintenance and improvement of its campsites, day use areas, and recreational areas.
“We’re trying to keep up with [increased] Visits and our aging infrastructure by using recovery fees as a resource to invest in places that the public really appreciates, “said Jeremy Golston, manager of the forest recovery program on Friday.
All five New Mexico National Forests – Carson, Gila, Lincoln, Cibola, and Santa Fe – are proposing increases in their fee programs, which would be the first major change to their fee programs since 2004.
The Santa Fe National Forest welcomes public comments on the proposed changes through September 30th.
“The goal is for people’s voices to be heard. The more people we can bring to the site [to provide comments] the better, “said Golston.
Comments can be submitted in several ways:
- Online on the Forest Service website, fs.usda.gov/main/santafe/home.
- By means of comment cards, which are available from the forest services.
- Mailed to the Southwestern Regional Office, Attention: Recreation Fees, 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
- By email to [email protected].
Forest officials are considering a variety of options for the fee program, including increasing fees at certain locations, introducing new fees at previously free locations, and introducing a new $ 40 annual pass that gives unlimited access to all day care centers in the five forests throughout State offers.
“It’s a whole new concept,” Golston said of the annual pass.
Forests representatives will hold a virtual public meeting in early September to answer questions about the proposed changes to recreation fees. Golston said details of the meeting will be released next week.
According to the Santa Fe National Forest, over 1 million people visit each year, with a significant increase in visitor numbers during the pandemic.
“We’re still seeing all sorts of increases in usage in different places,” Golston said.
While 95 percent of the fee income is invested in the locations where the fees are paid, the increased number of visitors puts a strain on the recreational areas.
Current fees “cannot keep pace with resources needed to operate, maintain and improve recreational areas,” according to a press release.
According to Golston, the new fees will not only finance the modernization and maintenance of campsites, but also wilderness management and even salaries for seasonal workers.
“Fees really are the lifeblood of our recreational development program,” said Golston.
A citizens’ council will examine the proposed changes and address its recommendations to Michiko Martin, regional forester for the southwest region of the forest service. Implementation of the approved changes is planned for 2022.
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