The Stanislaus National Forest extends comment period

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

The Stanislaus National Forest extends comment period

Forest extends comment period on a controversial proposal to remove developed campgrounds

Published: October 9, 2007

By MIKE MORRIS

The Stanislaus National Forest has extended its public comment period on a controversial proposal to remove developed campgrounds, charge additional camping fees and reduce the operating season at certain sites.

Public feedback on the plan was due by Monday, however requests like those by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors, prompted forest officials to extend the comment period to Oct. 22.

In a letter approved a week ago, supervisors asked forest officials to extend the public comment period by 30 days so they could give a more-detailed response.

"I am really pleased the Forest Service chose to extend the comment period for as long as they could without jeopardizing their funding," said Teri Murrison, a member of the county Board of Supervisors.

Forest spokesman Jerry Snyder said as long as the Recreation Facilities Analysis is sent to the Forest Service's Washington, D.C., headquarters by Oct. 30, the Stanislaus will still be in line for backlogged maintenance funding.

Forest officials plan to review the comments the week of Oct. 22 and have their proposal sent to the forest's regional office in Vallejo by Oct. 26.

In an attempt to save money, the Stanislaus National Forest is proposing to do away with at least four developed campgrounds, increase fees at 12 sites and charge new fees at 11 more.

Under the proposal, some developed campgrounds will be decommissioned by removing restrooms and picnic tables and returning the area back to its natural state.

Murrison said once some of the board's questions — like those regarding usage of the sites proposed to be decommissioned — are answered, then a more-detailed response will be made.

Announced last month, the proposal affects many of the forest's 89 developed sites, which include campgrounds, day-use picnic areas, boat launches and overlooks.

Donnell Vista, a popular high-country lookout off Highway 108, is proposed to have its season shortened, while the toilet at the Rim of the World Observation Area — an overlook between Groveland and Yosemite National Park — is proposed to be removed.

The forest's proposal also includes improving 45 of the developed sites.

For more information on the proposal, visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus /rfa/index or contact Project Coordinator Brian Kermeen at 532-3671, ext. 316. Copies of the Recreation Facilities Analysis are also available at the Forest Supervisor's Office on Greenley Road.

Comments can be e-mailed to comments-pacificsouthwest-stanislaus@fs.fed.us or mailed to Stanislaus National Forest, Attn: RFA, 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370.

Contact Mike Morris at mmorris@uniondemocrat.com or 588-4537.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2007