NW Forest Pass FAQ

GENERAL FAQ

We are a joint information office of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) and the United States Forest Service (USFS).

2. What do you do?

We disseminate geologic information and Forest Service recreation information.

3. How do we contact you?

Email us at info@naturenw.org or call (503) 872-2750. For details see the Contact Us page.

4. What are your hours?

Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM Pacific.

5. Is this information free?

The majority of the maps are for sale and can be purchased from our store. We do offer some informational brochures for free.

6. How are you funded?

We are funded by DOGAMI and the USFS. Funds received through the sale of private publications and maps are used to defray the cost of running the center.

7. What type of maps do you carry?

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U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management for Oregon, Oregon State Forestry, USGS topographic and geologic for Oregon, Oregon Department of Geology, Green Trails, GeoGraphics.

NW FOREST PASS FAQ

1. Why make changes in the recreation fee demonstration program now?

Many people have told the Forest Service there was too much confusion with the number and complexity of fee projects in the Pacific Northwest. This year's Northwest Forest Pass is the next step toward eliminating some of the confusion. The new pass provides an easily understood fee structure.

2. I already pay federal taxes, so why are there recreation fees?

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Only a small percentage of each tax dollar goes toward maintenance of campgrounds, trails and other federal recreation facilities. Appropriated dollars cover only a part of the total need. Maintenance of facilities depends on volunteers, partnerships, concessionaires, and others to help make up the funding shortfall.

As recreation activity continues to increase, the impact from visitors requires additional work to maintain recreation facilities and natural resources.

Whether on foot, horseback, motorized vehicles, water rafting, or climbing -- all of these activities create some impact or damage to the facilities or to the land. Those who recreate in National Forests carry a special responsibility to assist in the upkeep.

3. Why is the Forest Service charging for something that was once free? The National Forests are public land. Why should the American public have to pay to use their land?

The National Forest's trails and recreation programs have never been "free" -- they have been funded by tax dollars. One intention of the recreation fee program is to shift some of the cost for benefits and services to those who directly use them. The cost of a daily pass for recreation in the National Forest is less than what most people would pay for a day or an evening's entertainment elsewhere.

4. Is the Forest Service turning National Forests over to the private sector?

The recreation fee program actually helps ensure that federal agencies remain the managers of that land. Under the program, the fees are returned to the place where they are collected for improvements and maintenance of the land, facilities and services.

In managing National Forests in Oregon and Washington the Forest Service works with many partners to offer the best services possible. These include volunteers, nonprofit organizations, other nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector where appropriate. The recreation fee program has neither resulted in an increase in developed facilities, nor a change in private sector provision of services in the Pacific Northwest. The emphasis is to maintain existing facilities.

5. Isn't it true that efforts to make the recreation fee program more "user friendly" by consolidating fees under fewer passes will also mean fewer dollars for local recreation site needs?

At least 80 percent of pass fee revenues will be retained at local areas for recreation maintenance and improvements. Revenues will be distributed within geographic provinces, which include one or more National Forests and North Cascades National Park. Specific distribution formulas vary by province.

6. Are there any places left in Northwest forests where people can recreate without being charged a fee?

Yes. Most of the National Forest lands in Oregon and Washington are available without fees. There are no-fee areas in each of the Pacific Northwest's National Forests.

7. If the Forest Service is short of funds, why not enlist volunteers to help maintain and improve recreation facilities and services?

The Forest Service has a very active volunteer program in the Pacific Northwest Region providing hundreds of thousands of hours of help annually. However, even with this help the Forest Service is unable to keep up with recreation program operation and maintenance needs.

8. Do volunteers have to pay a fee to work at recreation sites?

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Volunteers are recognized for the work they do in the National Forests. National Forest Supervisors and District Rangers have the authority to determine what that recognition should be. Often volunteers receive a volunteer pass.

9. Why is the Forest Service charging public recreation fees while subsidizing timber, grazing and mining on public lands?

All commercial operations on National Forests are charged a fee. If those operations cause more than normal wear and tear, the operators are required to pay for repairs. Funds collected for these purpose, and funding authorized by Congress, cannot be used for recreation maintenance. Congress authorized the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program in answer to the growing need for additional financial resources to maintain and improve recreational facilities and services on federal lands.

10. Why is the Forest Service spending tax dollars on public relations people for marketing, promotion and advertising the recreation fee program?

The Forest Services invested in market science research (paid for by appropriated dollars) to help determine how to change the recreation fee program, based on public desires. A part of this effort was the completion of a Northwest telephone survey of 1,680 people in Oregon and Washington. That survey revealed the public is willing to pay certain fees for recreation and that people want a simpler, easier to use pass system.

This information contributed to the Forest Service decision to streamline the 2000 fee system by consolidating many fees into a single pass. On-site recreation visitor surveys, started in 1999, will continue this summer. Data from that survey will provide more detailed information about actual recreation visitor desires.

11. Your new pass doesn't go far enough. Why is the Northwest Forest Pass not accepted at Mt. Rainier, Olympic and Crater Lake National parks?

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The Forest Service and National Park Service engaged in serious discussions about such a joint pass. However, the National Park Service chose to not participate in such a pass beyond the involvement of North Cascades National Park at this time. The two agencies will continue to look for opportunities for a joint pass that would include other Northwest National Parks in the future.