According to a recent report in the Manchester Union Leader, hikers, mountain bikers and other backcountry users in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest will need a parking pass to leave their vehicle unattended at trailheads under a program begun this month. The $20 season pass or the $5 weekly pass, is available at all ranger stations and at other selected areas. The fee program is part of a new federal pilot project designed to keep 95% of the revenues from individual national forests there for improvements. In the past, any proceeds went to Washington.
"Our commitment is to keep the White Mountain National Forest open and to maintain and enhance our trails, trailhead facilities, developed facilities and wildlife viewing opportunities," said Donna Hepp, supervisor of the 771,000-acre forest. Some 7 million people annually visit the White Mountain National Forest. Currently, all money collected by the Forest Service goes straight into the federal Treasury. Staffing has been cut back 20 percent through attrition and early retirements. Improvement projects which were once funded are sitting idle, said a spokesperson.
The hope is that if more than a half-million dollars is brought in through pass sales the first year, trail improvements will begin and planning will be implemented for summer 1998 seasonal staff and projects during this coming winter. About 15 percent of the pass proceeds will be used on administration. The first priority, she said, is "to hack away at the backlog of trail maintenance and improvements. We hope if things are real positive we can improve trail signage. Our hope is we will continue to provide high-quality trail and interpretative information to help people plan for trips.
The forest received several hundred thousand dollars for startup costs, which include printing of the passes and signs that will be placed at hundreds of roadside locations along the White Mountain National Forest.
People who just come for the day are still expected to participate but those who picnic and sightseers who stop briefly are not expected to pay the fee, nor are those who arrive on mountain bikes or by foot. Enforcement is not the emphasis this year, officials said, noting there are no plans to bring in tickets. "Informing recreation users about the new fee project will be the emphasis this year." -----
The article, by the way, did not mention the thousands of volunteer hours contributed each year to the White Mountain National Forest by the Appalachian Mountain Club and other groups.