Kootenai Forest starts Recreation Site Facility Master Planning
Plan to be available for public comment in August
January 24, 2007
Libby, Mont. – The Kootenai Forest will be taking part in a national process called Recreation Site Facility Master Planning to determine how to best meet current and expected user demands at recreation sites.
Forest officials will invite the public to review their proposed developed recreation facility program to ensure agency managers are providing the best recreation opportunities in the right places now and into the future.
The Recreation Site Facility Master Planning (RS-FMP) process allows recreation managers to consider every developed facility on their unit and propose the best way these facilities can be managed to meet operation and maintenance standards, as well as provide healthy, safe and quality experiences. This process also allows managers to identify ways to eliminate overdue maintenance at recreation sites.
The planning process includes forest and grassland recreation managers identifying their forest ‘niche.’ This is done by analyzing current research on recreation use to determine which unique characteristics attract people to recreate on their forest or grassland. Managers also use financial tools to determine what each facility costs to operate, maintain and repair.
As a result of RS-FMP, each forest and grassland in the Northern Region will have a five year plan. This plan will list the tasks needed to ensure the Forest Service can operate and maintain financially sustainable recreation facilities to accepted quality standards. The goal is to provide enjoyable and safe experiences for visitors at an affordable cost. These proposals will be available for public review as each draft program of work is prepared.
“The Forest has completed the first step of the planning process by updating recreation site data, use records, and operation and maintenance costs,” said Bill Fansler Kootenai Forest Recreation Program Manager. “We expect to have the forest ‘niche’ identified by the end of February. A proposed plan of action should be available for public comment by the first of August.”
One of the goals of the RS-FMP process is to provide quality recreation opportunities to the public. As a result, with increased costs of providing services, some new fee proposals may be suggested to support the program of work. These new fee proposals, in addition to receiving public review as part of RS-FMP, will undergo formal public involvement required by the Recreation Enhancement Act including a published news release and presentation to the Resource Advisory Committees for recommendation. The Resource Advisory Committees are comprised of a panel of citizens representing various interests.
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Kootenai National Forest
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