June 10, 2019 - The U.S. Forest Service is proposing day use fee increases at recreation sites and adding a new day use fee for an existing recreation site on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.
“The proposed changes will help to ensure fees are more comparable to similar public and private sites in the area, be consistent with inflationary costs, and help defray rising maintenance and operation costs,” said Forest Supervisor Eddie Taylor. He also noted that the last price increase for most sites occurred in 2003.
Proposed fee changes include:
- National Forests and Grasslands in Texas -- Annual day use pass: proposed increase from $30 - $40. Passes are valid for one year from date of purchase and honored at day use sites on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Kisatchie National Forest and Corp of Engineer day use sites at Sam Rayburn and Town Bluff Reservoirs. Pass holders of the Interagency Senior and Access Passes will continue to receive a 50% discount on the annual day use pass.
- Angelina National Forest -- Boykin Springs Recreation Area day-use: proposed $5/day/vehicle
- Sabine National Forest -- Red Hills Lake Recreation Area swim area: proposed $5/day/vehicle; currently $3
Public notices proposing the fee increases will be posted in each recreation area and distributed through the media.
The Interagency Passes will be honored at standard amenity fee day use locations such as Boykin Springs. Interagency Senior and Access passes offer a 50% discount on all single occupancy campsites, boat launch sites and swimming areas.
The fee proposal will be presented before a citizen’s advisory committee, called the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, and the public is invited to attend and comment at the meeting. The meeting time, location and agenda will be announced on www.fs.usda.gov/texas. The Regional forester will make a decision on these fee proposals after public comment is complete.
Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act in 2004 which allows the Forest Service to keep 80-95 percent of fees collected at certain recreation sites to operate, maintain and improve the sites.
For more information or comments regarding the fee proposals, contact Public Services Team Leader Mary Frye at 936-639-8528.
