Developed Recreation Sites Under Review

Date: August 29, 2007
San Bernardino National Forest
602 S. Tippecanoe Avenue
San Bernardino, California 92408
Contact: Valerie Baca (909) 382-2711

For Immediate Release

Developed Recreation Sites Under Review on the San Bernardino
National; Forest Invites Public to Comment on Draft Proposal
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., August 29, 2007—

The San Bernardino National Forest is inviting the public to participate in evaluating its plan for developed recreation sites to ensure it allows for changing visitor demands while continuing to provide quality recreational experiences. Using a national process called the “Recreation Facilities Analysis” (RFA), local forest managers have reviewed the operation and maintenance of developed campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads to see what improvements or changes are needed. “We are committed to responsibly serving the public by efficiently operating and, when necessary, modifying the services we offer to ensure recreation sites provide the right opportunities in the right places,” said Forest Supervisor Jeanne Wade Evans. Based on the review, the forest has developed a proposed five-year program of work that focuses on continued good management of developed recreation sites on the forest allowing for best operations and maintenance at each site to a sustainable level.

Some of the activities proposed include rebuilding portions of sites through annual maintenance funding, modifying yellow post sites, seeking partners to assist in maintenance and caretaking, modifying current season of operation, and rebuilding or constructing amenities such as toilets, tent pads, foot bridges or new water systems.

Four sites are proposed for having their constructed features removed and returned to general forest character. These are Crest Park Picnic Site, Tent Peg Group Camp, Big Pine Group Campground on the Mountaintop Ranger District, as well as the Fuller Mill Creek Picnic area on the San Jacinto Ranger District. These sites are considered low use as well as having duplicative or similar amenities in the nearby area. “Most of the developed sites on the forest were built 30-50 years ago,” said Forest Recreation Officer Fran Colwell. “And we’re finding that a few of these sites just fall short in meeting today’s visitors’ needs, either in design, amenities, or location. In some cases, improvements are called for; in others it makes sense to focus efforts elsewhere.”

Changing visitor preferences and demographics prompted this process earlier this year for all national forests nationwide to evaluate and align developed recreation sites with each forest’s unique characteristics, projected recreation demand, visitor expectations and revenue. The process helps establish priorities for operations, maintenance and investment in recreation facilities, helping sustain existing facilities and plan for future ones. “We know that many sites have special importance or memories for people, so we encourage public input to ensure our developed recreation sites are efficiently operated and take into consideration our visitors’ desires and the forest’s special characteristics.,” said Wade Evans. “This is a chance to look forward to determine what kinds of recreation sites will best fit our forest and our visitors’ expectations into the future.”

An open house and extended hours for drop-by visitors for discussion on the proposed program of work include:

• Open House, Forest Supervisor’s Office, 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino: Tuesday, September 18, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

• Front Country District, 34701 Mill Creek Road, Mentone, CA 92359: Wednesday, September 19, 4:00pm to 7:00pm

• Mountaintop District, 28104 Highway 18, Skyforest, CA 92385: Thursday, September 20, 4:00pm to 7:00pm

• San Jacinto District, 54270 Pinecrest, Idyllwild, CA 92549: Monday, September 17, 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Your comments on the proposed POW would be most helpful if received by October 5, 2007. Please mail them to:

RFA--POW
San Bernardino National Forest
602 S. Tippecanoe Ave
San Bernardino CA 92408

You may also send your feedback via e-mail to:

comments-pacificsouthwest-san-bernardino@fs.fed.us

Please specify “RFA Comments” in the subject line. Details regarding the proposed POW and additional information about the RFA process are available online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/rfa/.

If you would like to obtain a printed copy of the proposed POW,
or have questions or comments, please feel free to call the
Forest RFA Coordinator at (909) 382-2712.

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