Willamette National Forest invites public to attend Open Houses on proposed special recreation permit fee structure

Media Contact:
Tammy T. Robinson, Public Affairs Officer
tammy.t.robinson@usda.gov
(541) 650-2765

Springfield, Ore., Nov. 6, 2019 – The Willamette National Forest will have two open houses for the public to learn more about the proposed special recreation permit fee structure for the limited entry system which will be implemented next year in the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and Three Sisters Wilderness Areas. The forest will review and consider all comments and use them to inform how the proposal may be adjusted. The public comment period for the proposed special recreation permit fee began on October 9, and will end on Nov. 25, 2019.

“Both open houses will begin with a brief presentation about the proposed fee structure,” said Recreation Program Manager Matt Peterson. “People will also have an opportunity to visit informally with Willamette National Forest leadership and staff and provide written comments.”

The first open house will be held on Tuesday, November 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Chemeketa Community College, Winema Building, 4001 Winema Place NE, Salem, Ore. The second open house will be held on Thursday, November 21, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St., Eugene, Ore. Contact Matt Peterson at matt.peterson@usda.gov with questions or if you require special accommodations. 

Comments may also be submitted electronically to WillametteRecFeeComments@usda.gov or dropped off at any Willamette National Forest office during business hours. Additionally, comments may be mailed to Willamette National Forest, ATTN: Recreation Fees, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D, Springfield, Ore., 97477.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and other detailed information about the proposed fee structure at www.fs.usda.gov/willamette.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

With over 1.6 million acres, the Willamette National Forest is home to eight wilderness areas, including the popular Three Sisters Wilderness and Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, a variety of backpacking and day hiking opportunities, waterfalls, wildflowers, mountain biking trails, boating, swimming and much more! The varied landscape of high mountains, narrow canyons, cascading streams, and wooded slopes offers excellent opportunities for visitors and make the forest valuable for many purposes.