Idaho Panhandle National Forest seeks input on fee increases, new public rentals
The Idaho Panhandle National Forest is asking for public comment on a proposal to increase or add fees at 11 campgrounds, 10 cabin and lookout rentals, as well as the Emerald Creek Garnet site and the Upper Landing RV dump station, according to a news release.
The increased fees would pay for improvement work that already occurred and help maintain the properties in the future, the release said. Additionally, the fee increases would make pricing more consistent across forest service sites.
New fee sites include: Beaver Creek Cabin, St. Joe Ranger District; $55 per night; Spyglass Ground House, Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District; $45 per night; Big Creek, Camp 3, Line Creek Stock Camp, Packsaddle, and Telichpah campgrounds, St. Joe Ranger District; $10 per night, with an additional $5 extra vehicle fee per night for more than two vehicles; Conrad Crossing, Fly Flat, Mammoth Springs, and Spruce Tree campgrounds; $15 per night, with an additional $5 extra vehicle fee per night for more than two vehicles; Bottle Bay, Geisinger, Navigation, Plowboy, Teacher Bay, Trapper, and Tule Bay Boat-in campgrounds on Priest Lake; $15 per night; Green Bay and Whiskey Rock boat-in campgrounds on Pend Oreille Lake; $15 per night; Reynolds Creek Group Site Camp Area; $50 per night; Shadowy St. Joe Day Use Boating site; $5 per vehicle per day; Priest Lake Information Site (RV Dump Station); $10 per use.
Fee increase sites include: Arid Peak, Deer Ridge, Lunch Peak, and Shorty Peak Lookout rentals – fee increase from $25 to $45 per night; Little Guard and Surveyor’s Peak Lookout rentals – fee increase from $35 to $55 per night; Avery Creek Cabin - fee increase from $60 to $120 per night; Magee Cabin - fee increase from $55 to $100 per night; Red Ives Cabin – fee increase from $60 to $100 per night; Snyder Guard Station - fee increase from $110 to $150 per night; Emerald Creek Garnet site – fee increase from $10 to $15 per person, per day for ages 13 and over. Children ages 6-12 will remain at $5 per person, per day, and kids under 6 are free; Shadowy St. Joe Group Picnic Pavilion – fee increase from $25 to $35 per day; Upper Landing RV Dump Station – fee increase from $3 to $10 per use. This site is currently not operational; however, if fee increase is approved, upgrades will be made and re-opened for public use; Bartoo Island and Kalispell Island boat-in campgrounds – fee increase from $10 to $15 per night.
Submit comments on the proposed increases by Jan. 14. To comment visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r1recfee or call Josh Jurgensen 208-765-7214. Comments can be mailed to: Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Attn; Rec Fee Proposal, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815.