U.S. Forest Service Proposing Fee Changes at Several Oka-Wen Sites

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a change in fees for multiple recreation sites in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Public Affairs Officer Victoria Wilkins says some will increase, others will decrease and some fees will be new at a variety of locations.

"Partially to look at consistency across the forest to make sure that sites with similar types of amenities have similar fees. For example, we are charging the same for an additional car at a campground across the forest and not charging different fees. Also, raising fees in some cases to keep up with rising costs of administering the site."

Public comment on the proposed changes is being taken through the end of July.

Wilkins says the proposal includes changing nearly 100 sites in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

"We're hoping to finish the process by the end of this calendar year, so end of 2021. Implementation of the fees themselves would be at different times depending upon the site. We would start implementing in 2022, but not all fees would go into effect immediately."

Comments on the proposed fee increases should be mailed to Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, ATTN: Recreation Fees/Suzanne Cable, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801, or emailed to SM.FS.FeeProposal@usda.gov.

You can find a list of the proposed changes on the U.S. Forest website.