Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests

Wenatchee River Ranger District
600 Sherbourne
Leavenworth, WA 98826

509. 548-2550 or 548.2551 Voice
509.548.5817 Fax

Forestry Sciences Laboratory
1133 N. Western
Wenatchee, WA 98801

509.662-4315 Voice
509.664.2742 Fax

USDA Forest Service

Okanogan National Forest

The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests are asking for help from people interested in planning the future of Forest Service developed recreation sites. The goal of this process, termed Recreation Site Facility Master Plan (RSFMP), is to help the Forest Service plan and provide quality recreation experiences desirable to the public in the future. Several workshops are planned so the public can provide input in identifying the unique characteristics and recreation demands for developed sites located in the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. The workshops all have identical agendas and will be held in Wenatchee, Ellensburg and in Okanogan. Each workshop will provide people with an opportunity to inform forest managers of the recreation experiences they value.

The dates and locations of these public meetings:

• June 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest Headquarters office, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA
• June 28, 6:30 PM-8:30 p.m., Hal Holmes Center, 209 N. Ruby St., Ellensburg, WA
• July 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Okanogan County PUD, 1331 2nd Ave North, Okanogan, WA

“We are excited to work with all our stakeholders to ensure our developed recreation sites are efficiently operated and aligned with the types of recreational experiences desired by the people who use them. We are committed to responsibly serving the public by ensuring that national forest recreation sites provide the right opportunities in the right places,” said Forest Supervisor Jim Boynton.

Recreation Site Facility Master Planning is intended to help the Forest Service create a sustainable recreation program that meets the needs of the public. The process includes the public’s input in identifying the special characteristics of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. The public responses will be used by the Forest to create a five year action plan focused on the management of developed recreation sites. The action plan is expected to be completed by October 2007. The public will be invited to participate in other key areas as the action plan is developed. Many of the developed recreation sites on the Okanogan & Wenatchee National Forests were built over 50 years ago and are showing their age. Over the years, some of these sites have accrued a maintenance back-log (deferred maintenance) and are in disrepair. Along with aging facilities, visitor preferences and demographics have changed. A number of recreation sites provide facilities or services that no longer meet visitor expectations or are not suited for projected future recreation demand.

The Forests are reviewing over 360 developed recreation sites through a national process called “Recreation Site Facility Master Planning” (RSFMP). Every national forest in the nation will complete the RSFMP process by 2007. RSFMP has three strategic goals:

1. Provide recreation opportunities best suited for the national forest.
2. Operate and maintain recreation sites to meet national quality standards.
3. Eliminate or reduce recreation site deferred (back-log) maintenance.

For information regarding developed recreation sites on the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, call Amy Tinderholt at 509-784-1511 extension 520. For more information check the website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/rsfmp/

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