BNF seeking public opinion on fee increase

Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson has announced that the Forest Service is seeking public input on a proposed fee increase at Hunter Campground on the Powder River Ranger District near Buffalo, Wyoming. 

According to the BNF, the proposal regards a raise from the current campsite fee of $10 per night to $22 per night, based on market analysis. The forest reports that the current fees for the area have not changed since 1998 while operating costs for the area and visitation numbers have risen.

The site has many amenities including but not limited to vault toilets, a solar powered pressurized drinking water system, trailer parking, corrals, and water for stock. Other sites in the region with similar features charge between $22 and $34 which aids in maintenance. 

According to the BNF, additional income at the site would allow the Forest Service to address annual operations and further maintenance needs. Additional services would include increased toilet pumping services, power to the host’s site, additional water hydrants to the existing line, and the continued removal and disposal of horse manure.

Hunter Campground is a 12-site camping facility with equine features that include corrals and an outfitter/guide staging area. The campground has been a popular destination for recreation enthusiasts since 1968. Hunter Campground accesses Cloud Peak Wilderness and Rock Creek proposed wilderness, both offering unique riding and hiking opportunities.

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. Ninety-five percent of the revenue from recreation fees remains on the forests to operate, maintain and improve facilities. Fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and create a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of future generations.

Under REA, and in the Rocky Mountain Region of the Forest Service, all new fees and any fee changes are reviewed by an internal regional fee advisory board, the Washington Office, and undergo a public outreach and comment process. The Forest staff work with the regional and Washington Office staff to refine the proposal and they collect and assess the public response to the outreach and comment process.

The proposal is also coordinated with community stakeholders, outfitter and guides, agency partners, the Wyoming Recreation Action Team, and other interested entities. The Forest Service and partners will conduct public outreach beginning on June 15, 2022 and continuing through Sept. 30, 2022.

For more information click here. Please submit comments electronically to SM.FS.bighorninfo@usda.gov or by visiting the online commenting tool here.

Comments may also be delivered in person to the Powder River Ranger District Office 1415 Fort Street, Buffalo, Wyo. Information is available at the Powder River Ranger District and many locations in the Bighorn National Forest.  For further details please call Brian Boden, Recreation Specialist, at the Powder Ranger District at 307-684-7806 or brian.boden@usda.gov.

Once public involvement is complete, the results and possible modifications will be reviewed by the regional fee advisory board, the Washington Office and the Wyoming Recreation Action Team.  Any recommendation for approval of the fee from the key reviewing entities is submitted to the Regional Forester for a final decision.