What is Recreation Facilities Analysis (RFA)?
RFA is a nationally developed analysis tool to help forests take
a strategic look at their developed recreation sites. It is a
process that is designed to better align the developed recreation
sites with the unique characteristics of the forest, projected
recreation demand, and visitor expectations along with the funds
and revenue that are available to cover the costs of operation
and maintenance. National forest and grasslands across the country
are undertaking this process. RFA is driven by three strategic
goals:
- Provide recreation opportunities best suited for the national forest;
- Operate and maintain recreation sites to meet national quality standards;
- Eliminate/reduce recreation site deferred maintenance.
A seven-step process is used to evaluate and prioritize sites. The preliminary results will be contained in a proposed 5-year program of work. Public feedback will be sought on the proposed program of work. Once public involvement is conducted a final program of work will be developed.
Timeline for the Recreation Facilities Analaysis
Process on the CusterNational
Forest.
March 2006 - Forest began reviewing and updating
the inventory of our recreation sites, along with estimates of
costs for operation and maintenance for each recreation site.
June 2006 - Forest developed forest-wide niche
description.
August 2006 - Forest began examining recreation
sites for possibilities to increase operational efficiencies,
reduce expenditures, and decrease deferred maintenance, while
maintaining recreation opportunities. Along with this, the Forest
began rating sites according to a variety of factors, including
their financial and operational efficiency, the effects on environmental
sustainability, their effects on community stability and their
conformance with the forest-wide niche.
October 2006 -Forest developed a preliminary
proposed program of work.
February 2008 - Forest will host public meetings
to collect feedback on the proposed program of work.
Public meetings will be held at the following location from 6-8
pm each night::
February 20: Court House, Ekalaka
February 26: Supervisor's Office, 1310 Main Street, Billings
February 27: Ashland Public Schho, Multi-purpose Room, Ashland February 28:
Red Lodge High School Cafeteria, 413 S Oaks, Red Lodge
Summer 2008 - Forest will finalize the proposed
program of work and submit it for Regional Forester concurrance.
October 2008 - Forest will begin implementing
the proposed program of work.
For further information, please contact Doug Epperly at 406-587-6205 ext. 225, depperly@fs.fed.us.
Preliminary Proposed
Program of Work Summary
The Custer National Forest is
preliminary proposed program of work contains detailed tasks that
would be implemented over a five year period, some of which are
minor and some of which are more significant. The following is
a summary of some of the more substantive changes that are proposed.
Proposed Changes in Season of Operation. A decrease in season of operations is being proposed at:
Basin Campground, Basin Trailhead, Beartrack Trailhead, Big Ice Cave Picnic Area, Cascade Campground, Corral Creek Trailhead, East Rosebud Trailhead, East Rosebud Lake Campground, Emerald Lake Campground, Emerald Lake Fishing Access, Glacier Lake Trailhead, Greenough Lake Campground, Hell Roaring Trailhead, Initial Creek Campground, Jimmy Joe Campground, Lake Fork Trailhead, Limber Pine Campground, MK Campground, Meyers Creek Trailhead, Meyers Creek Rental Cabin, Old Nye Picnic Site, Palisades Campground, Parkside Campground, Parkside Picnic Area, Phantom Trailhead, Pine Grove Campground, Rattin Campground, Red Lodge Creek Trailhead, Sage Creek Campground, Senia Trailhead, Sheridan Campground, Silver Run Plateau Trailhead, Timberline Trailhead, Vista Point Observation Site, West Fork Trailhead, West Fork Stillwater Trailhead, West Rosebud Trailhead, West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access, Wild Bill Lake Picnic Area, Woodbine Campground, Woodbine Trailhead, Lantis Spring Campground, Picnic Spring Campground, Reva Gap Campground, Wickham Gulch Campground, Blacks Pond Picnic Area, Cow Creek Campground, Diamond Butte Rental Cabin, Holiday Spring Campground, Poker Jim Butte Picnic Area, Whitetail Rental Cabin.
Typcially, these sites will not be physically closed during seasons when they are not being operated, however facilities would not be maintained and structures such as toilets may be locked.
Proposed New Fees. New fees are proposed at the following developed recreation sites:
Initial Creek Campground, Jimmy Joe Campground, MK Campground, Palisades Campground
Proposed Increase of Existing Fees. Increases in the existing fees are proposed at the following developed recreation sites:
East Rosebud Lake Campground, Emerald Lake Campground, Meyers Creek Rental Cabin, Pine Grove Campground, Sage Creek Campground, Diamond Butte Rental Cabin, Whitetail Rental Cabin
Proposed Removal or Closure of Facilities. The following sites would be closed (facilities may or may not be removed) or decommissioned (facilities would be removed):
Sand Dunes Picnic Site, Ekalaka Park Campground, Macnab Pond Picnic Site, RedShale Campground
