BY MAX SILVERSON
The Star-News

The Boise National Forest is seeking public comments on increased fees for campgrounds, rental cabins and day use areas.

There are 18 sites on the Cascade Ranger District that would see new or increased fees and 64 total sites across the Boise Forest.

Fees in most campgrounds would increase by $5 to $10, while fees for cabins would increase by up to $80.

The proposed fees are needed to maintain, repair, improve and expand the increasingly popular recreation sites, according to the Forest Service.

Fees would be used to add campsites, expand spurs to accommodate modern-sized camp trailers, and install toilets and picnic tables that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If approved, the fees would go into effect in 2025.

“The forest has seen a substantial increase in recreational use as the area’s population has grown and with that, the need for upkeep and improving our developed recreation sites,” said Boise Forest Supervisor Brant Petersen.

“It’s been 26 years since we last increased fees on our campgrounds and rental cabins,” Petersen said.

For a complete list of proposed fee changes, visit www.fs.usda.gov/boise and select “News & Events” in the “about us” menu.

If the fees are adopted, about 70% of the Boise Forest’s developed recreation sites would continue to not charge a fee, Petersen said.

Comments can be made through Sept. 4 through the project webpage, or emailed to SM.FS.boise_inbox@usda.gov. Comments can be submitted by mail to Boise National Forest, Attn: Recreation Fees, 1249 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, ID 83709, or by phone, by calling forest Recreation Program Manager, Everardo Santillan, at 208-373-4100 during normal business hours.

Affected campgrounds in the Cascade district include Penn Basin, Picnic Point Amanita, French Creek, Golden Gate, Ice Hole, Rainbow Point, Shoreline, South Fork Salmon River Warm Lake and Yellow Pine.

Fees would be increased or established at the Johnson Creek Guard Station Cabin, Stolle Meadows Guard Station Cabin, Landmark Forester Cabin and south and west Landmark Cabins.

The French Creek Boat Docks and Rainbow Point Boat Site would see fees instituted.