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Passes and Permits
Federal Recreation Passes
Recreation Fees
Special Forest Products
Firewood Permit
Special Use Permits
Concessionaries
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USDA Forest Service
Daniel Boone
National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391
Phone: 859-745-3100
FAX: 859-744-1568
Passes and Permits: Concessionaires
Frequently Asked Questions about Concessionaires
What is a concessionaire?
A concessionaire is a private company that is contracted by the Forest Service to manage recreation facilities, like campgrounds. Typically, this relationship is embodied in what is called a "Special Use Permit".
How does a Special Use Permit work?
Special Use Permits are entered into with private companies for a defined number of years (usually 5-10). Though the terms vary, in most cases the permit grants the private company the right to operate on and collect revenues from a certain site. In addition, the private company is required to pay all normal operating expenses. Typically, the private company pays a fee for this permit, usually calculated as a percentage of revenue collected.
How are these permits granted?
The government conducts a competitive bid process. Selection criterea typically include evaluation of the company's qualifications, its financial stability, its operations plans, and the percentage of revenue bid as a return to government.
Once granted, can the private company do anything it wants with the site?
Hardly. Concessionaires operate under a very detailed set of guidelines that specify the condition the facilities must be kept in, the fees we can charge, the training we must provide, etc. Failure to comply with these requirements will cause a concessionaire to lose their permit.
Where does my money I pay for camping fees go?
The vast majority of your fee goes to pay operating expenses at that site, including cleaning, maintenance, safety patrols, etc. A large portion also goes to the government in fees. Because of efficiencies in private vs. government operation, these fees we pay are typically higher than the what the government was making running the facility on its own. By law, at least on US Forest Service lands, the fees we pay to the government stay in the local forest and are used for improvement and new construction.
What recreation sites on the Daniel Boone National Forest are operated by concessionaires?
On Cave Run Lake on Cumberland Ranger District, Twin Knobs, Zilpo and Clear Creek Campgrounds are operated by Recreation Resource Management. Koomer Ridge Campground on Cumberland Ranger District is also operated by RRM.
On Laurel River Lake, London Ranger District, Rocky Mountain Recreation manages Holly Bay, Grove, Craigs Creek and White Oak campgrounds.
Title: Concessionaires
Last Updated:
April 21, 2008
