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U.S. Forest Service
News Release
Media Contact: Brady Smith
Coconino NF extends comment period on proposed changes to Red Rock Pass fee program Flagstaff, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2015, For Immediate Release —
The public comment period regarding proposed changes to the Red Rock Pass (RRP) fee program has been extended to Jan. 1, 2016. Comments can be submitted by emailing
jmburns@xxxxxxxxx or by normal mail to Red Rock District, P.O. 20429, Sedona, AZ 86341.
A public open house was held on Nov. 9 in Sedona where information and exhibits were available, along with Forest Service staff to answer questions and take comments. Public input
from the open house indicated that an extension on the comment period would be beneficial.
The RRP proposal will enable continued improvements to two new stand-alone fee sites, and reduce public confusion about fee
sites versus fee areas. It is proposed that the two current fee
areas along State Routes 89A and 179 be eliminated, while recreation sites within the two current fee areas are retained as stand-alone fee sites. The proposal also seeks to add two new stand-alone fee sites to the RRP program, to include Dry Creek Vista/Picnic
Site and Fay Canyon Vista/Trailhead. This would result in a total of 20 stand-alone fee sites.
The addition of the two new stand-alone fee sites will enable the Forest Service to make continued investments in these highly-visited sites, such as more frequent servicing of
the toilets and trash cans and improved maintenance of the other on-site facilities.
There are no proposed changes to the amount of the current RRP fee. There are currently 18 fee sites in the RRP program, which will remain as stand-alone fee sites. Approximately 90 percent of the revenue generated by fees is used for the care, upkeep and enhancement
of the fee sites, to improve visitor service and protect the environment. The Sedona/Red Rock area receives more than 2 million visitors annually, many of whom visit the Coconino National Forest. The RRP fee program is designed to provide high quality forest
vistas, trailheads and picnic areas to meet the expectations of the area’s visitors.
The proposal will also be presented before a citizens group known as the Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and then receives a final decision from the Forest Service Southwest Regional
Forester.
The public can view the proposal online at
http://tinyurl.com/ovjkdzc.
Frequently asked questions and answers regarding the proposal can also be found at
http://tinyurl.com/pu6vpc8.
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