The Recreation Site Facility Master Planning document for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest was recently made available to Wild Wilderness by the USFS.  Significant changes are planned. According to this proposed 5-year program of work:

Of the 135 existing sites, 61% are augmented with non-appropriated operational funds. This includes 59 sites that are approved as Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) fee sites, 2 which receive State funding for maintenance and 11 will be operated by concessionaire. The 11 concessionaire sites are expected to continue for the next 5 years, and additional concession operations are being explored at 18 more sites. Changes proposed at the fee sites are focused on producing a more efficient program: proposed fee increases at 27 sites fees; elimination of fees and removal of facilities at 5 fee sites due to low revenue of less than $500/year; and the addition of 8 more non-concession sites to the REA fee program. The POW also proposes to restore 11 sites to dispersed recreation.

Our careful reading of this document reveals that gates have already been purchased for installation in 2006. Numerous campgrounds on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest that are going to be converted from development recreation to dispersed recreation are, in reality, going to be gated. The same this is true for other kinds of developed recreation sites. For example here is what the document says about the fate of Mason Dam Boat Launch.

"Add other feature to site. Begin charging a fee at site. Increase fee compliance effort. Install gate to limit off-season use; Pursue concession operation & initiating new fee for site use as part of new 2006 Concession package."

Those who have interest in outdoor recreation on the Wallowa Whitman NF might wish to explore this document in greater detail to learn what more has been planned.

Scott 

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