What is Recreation Facilty Analysis?
Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) is a nationwide Forest Service process to help National Forests better manage recreation infrastructure. The foundation of any effort for improvement is knowing how well we are doing -- establishing a baseline. Recreation Facility Analysis is the first nationally consistent analytical process that allows us to know what running a recreation site costs, the relative importance of that site, and its condition. More.
What Makes Recreation on the White Mountain National Forest Special?
A national forest's recreation niche defines the best-suited recreation experiences or benefits that the forest can provide. It's what makes a forest special. It emphasizes quality recreation versus quantity or trying to be all things to all people. The niche looks at a forest's unique ecological features, demands and desires of recreation visitors now and into the future, and opportunities provided by others in the area. It then describes uniquely specific recreation opportunities provided by the forest. More.
Five Year Proposed Program of Work
Through the Recreation Facility Analysis process, the Forest has prepared a "Draft 5-year Proposed Program of Work" outlining the proposed management of 171 developed recreation sites, including campgrounds, trailheads, shelters and cabin rentals. These are tasks that the White Mountain National Forest has identified for the next 5 years. The actual timeline for completing the proposed tasks depends on factors such as workload, partnerships and funding. More.
Public Participation
The Forest Planning process, during which recreation on the national forest was a key issue, involved several years of public participation and involvement. These comments helped inform the RFA process. There were also specific studies, surveys and use data that were incorporated into the Recreation Facility Analysis. More.
NOTE: Although the designated comment period has ended, we still welcome your thoughts and suggestions as planning begins for specific projects. Please continue to use the process described under "Public Participation." |
