By Becky Long
Publisher
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing fee changes at two recreation areas that would include a $5 rider fee to the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike Trail System. The proposal includes an option for a $30 annual pass.
JoAnna Padgett Atkisson, who has spent much of her adult life working to promote and improve the trail system, doesn’t understand why the fee is biased toward bike riders. She’s hoping to gather support to change the proposal during the Forest Service’s public 60-day comment period.
“Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association is currently having conversations with both the Nantahala and Pisgah Area biking chapters so that we can learn what discussions have already been held with the USFS regarding this matter,” said Atkisson. “SABA will be releasing a position statement in the near future. Personally, I feel the proposal by the USFS as currently written is discriminatory against mountain bikers, as do a vast majority of this user group. It was our local mountain biking club SABA who helped with the planning , conducted fundraisers, helped with the actual construction and continues to maintain the Jackrabbit trails. We do this because we love our trails.”
According to a press release from the USFS, the fee changes are only proposed. After public comment is received, the USFS will assess the comments and concerns and then present the fee proposals to the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee at a future date.
“Access to our unique and challenging trails is something many of us strongly value. The high level of use these trails receive make increased maintenance and enhancements imperative for responsible trail management. While none of us would prefer to have a fee associated with mountain bike and equestrian use of these trails, these funds would greatly expand our capacity and ability to improve and maintain these important trails,” said Dave Casey, District Ranger of the Pisgah Ranger District.
The other proposed new fee is for Pisgah Complex Mountain Bike and Horse Trail System – new $5/rider per day fee or new $30 annual pass.
The fees would only apply to mountain bike and equestrian use. The Pisgah Complex consists of the Bent Creek, North Mills River, South Mills River and 276 Corridor areas on the Pisgah Ranger District.
“The USFS requires that we maintain a volunteer agreement with them in order to maintain the trail, as they do not have the manpower/workforce to do this. The USFS proposal wants to charge a fee to mountain bikers and equestrian groups, but only mountain bikers at Jackrabbit and not hikers,” Atkisson said.
“I agree that the Forest Service needs funding to maintain its infrastructure, such as the restroom, garbage disposal, mowing and other expenses. Both bikers and hikers use the trailhead facilities at Jackrabbit. Right now, hikers outnumber bikers 2:1 on the Jackrabbit trail and use all of the facilities, as do the people who input kayaks/rafts/paddle boards from the trailhead parking area. Many people come to picnic, and make a day of it at the trail,” she said. “I would propose a parking fee which would not discriminate against any particular user group. This would give the USFS funds to help with the operational costs, but would not discriminate against any particular user group.”
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edward’s representative will be in Hayesville Thursday, June 29 and she encourages everyone to voice their opinions.
“I encourage everyone to come voice your concerns,” Atkisson said. “I support an ‘all users or no users’ parking fee. Just my two cents.”
All new fees and any fee changes must be proposed to and approved the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. Committee members represent an array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the forest service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes, according to the USFS release.
The public should comment on the proposed fee change at Jackrabbit by Tuesday, Aug. 22. Visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/recfeeproposals. To provide comments about this fee proposal for the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee to consider, comment online at the Recreation Fee Proposal Mapping Tool or contact Logan Free at (828) 257-4256; email: SM.FS.NFsNCfees@usda.gov; or mail to: ATTN: Recreation Fee Proposals, 160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801.