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ASHEVILLE ? The Asheville branch of the U.S. Forest Service is accepting comment on a proposal to increase fees at several recreation sites in the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests.

The increases would go toward operating, maintaining, and improving the facilities and programs at the sites, Forest Service spokesman Terry Seyden said.


The proposal would increase fees at the Cradle of Forestry near Brevard; at Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle Area in Cherokee County, which saw about 50,000 users last year; the Cheoah Point campground in Graham County, which had 8,000 users when it was last opened; and the Jackrabbit campground in Clay County, which saw 20,000 visitors last year.

?We?ve had a tremendous increase in use,? said Dave Wright, Forest Service program manager. ?We?re just trying to provide a quality experience.?

The largest increase would be for Tellico users, with fees doubling from $5 to $10 per day and from $30 to $60 for season passes. Cradle of Forestry fees would go from $5 to $6. Campsites at Cheoah would go from $8 to $15, and lakefront sites at Jackrabbit would go from $15 to $20.

The plan would allow users to reserve a Forest Service shelter for a fee. They would be free of charge when not reserved.

?I don?t really object to it,? Nantahala Hiking Club member Jim Whitehurst said. ?When I lead hikes, a lot of those folks are weekend people that come up from Atlanta or Greenville, and it?s not going to be a burden for them.?

Send your comments
Comments on the proposed fee increase should be submitted by March 9 to: National Forests in North Carolina

Attn: Dave Wright, Developed Recreation Program Manager

160 Zillicoa St., Suite A

Asheville, NC 28801.

Comments also may be e-mailed to comments-southern-north-carolina@fs.fed.us.